LONDON -- Nicolas Anelka was banned for five games by the English Football Association on Thursday and immediately suspended by West Bromwich Albion for a racially aggravated goal celebration. The French striker performed the gesture, which is known in his homeland as a "quenelle" and has been described as an "inverted Nazi salute," during a Premier League match in December. Although an FA disciplinary panel backed Anelkas insistence that he was not being intentionally anti-Semitic, performing the gesture was still found to be racist and abusive. Anelka, who appeared at the hearing this week, received the minimum five-game ban for racism offences, was also fined 80,000 pounds ($133,000) and ordered to complete an education course. Anelka can appeal, and he must decide within seven days of receiving the panels written reasons. But West Brom responded to the verdict by suspending him while the central England club conducts an internal investigation and awaits the conclusion of the FA process. "The club acknowledges that the FA panel did not find that Nicolas Anelka is an anti-Semite or that he intended to express or promote anti-Semitism by his use of the quenelle," West Brom said in a statement. "However, the club cannot ignore the offence that his actions have caused, particularly to the Jewish community, nor the potential damage to the clubs reputation." The panel found Anelka guilty of two charges -- that the gesture "was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper," and it was racially offensive. "The misconduct was an aggravated breach ... in that it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief," the FA verdict said. Anelkas legal team said he was "pleased" to be cleared of anti-Semitism. "He is now waiting to receive the commissions full reasons for their decision before considering whether or not to appeal," the statement said. Anelka performed the quenelle as he celebrated scoring in West Broms 3-3 draw with West Ham on Dec. 28. The gesture involves pointing one straightened arm downward while touching the shoulder with the opposite hand. It was popularized by French comedian Dieudonne MBala MBala, who has been convicted multiple times for inciting racial hatred or anti-Semitism. The Community Security Trust, which protects British Jews, said Anelka has introduced an "ugly anti-Semitic gesture into British football." "We acknowledge Anelkas denial of anti-Semitic intent, but his action was clear and the FAs zero tolerance approach to racism meant there could be no other outcome," CST chief executive David Delew said. "This verdict sends a strong message to Jewish players and supporters at all levels of the game that the FA will act against anti-Semitic acts if they are reported." The European Jewish Congress expressed concern that Anelka was yet to express any regret over the case. "Even if the FA is not convinced that the players intent at the time was anti-Semitic, he surely knows now the origins of the quenelle and the hurt and pain it caused the Jewish community, yet we are still waiting for an apology," EJC President Dr Moshe Kantor said. "Anelkas silence speaks volumes." The organization hopes the FA will use the case to help clamp down on abuse against Jews. "Anti-Semitism remains the fastest growing hate in football, on the field and in the stadiums, and we hope that this episode will be used positively to once and for all stamp out hatred for Jews in football," Kantor said. Anelka avoided the heaviest racism ban imposed recently by the FA, eight games for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in 2011 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. Chelsea captain John Terry received a four-match ban the following year, before the minimum five-game racism ban was introduced in England. Oscar Robertson Jersey . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season. Trevor Ariza Jersey .com) - A chant of Zeke reverberated around AT&T Stadium before Ezekiel Elliott powered into the end zone for his fourth and final touchdown. https://www.cheapkingsbasketball.com/382b-duane-causwell-jersey-kings.html. Gough finished in fourth, 0.433 seconds behind American Erin Hamlin, who took the bronze medal at the Sanki Sliding Center in Rzhanaya Polyana. Jack Twyman Jersey .com) - The Grand Slam season will get underway Monday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where a new champion will be crowned this year. DeMarcus Cousins Jersey . Some will say that Martin is too sensitive while others will say that it is part of the way football is in the locker room. But to have to absorb what was said to him for any rational and intelligent person is too much.After a 59-save shutout of the San Jose Sharks, Ben Scrivens has given the Edmonton Oilers reason to believe he might be the answer in net going forward. He is also set to become a unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The question is, do the Oilers sign the 27-year-old to a new deal, whether it be short or long term? Or do they trade him in hopes of maximizing his potential value? Its hard to believe that Edmonton will stand still and let Scrivens walk away at seasons end for nothing. At this point, the Spruce Grove, Alta., natives value might be higher than ever. Scrivens leads the NHL in save percentage (.937) and is second in shutouts (four). He is also third in goals-against average (1.93). You can point to the strong numbers and credit the defensive prowess of Los Angeles Kings, who are second in goals against with 116 and with whom Scrivens played 19 of his 23 games so far this season, but that isnt the whole story. In four starts with the Oilers, albeit a small sample size, Scrivens has arguably been better. His save percentage with Edmonton - who by the way have allowed a league-high 190 goals - is .024 higher than with the Kings and hiss goals-against average is .dddddddddddd21 lower. His 2-2 record in Edmonton his indicative of a poor defensive squad, not his individual performances. He continues to earn opportunities to carry the load in net, but on the other hand, is goaltending really at the top of Edmontons wish list right now? With a defence that has trouble defending, does it matter who anchors the crease? Other priorities may take precedence to locking down an unproven starter. Management and ownership are running out of time and fans are running out of patience. Suffering at the bottom of the league for draft picks just wont do. Unless the Oilers choose to sign Scrivens, he remains one of the few expendable and currently valuable assets on the team. Scrivens flashes of brilliance and stretches of success were alive and well in two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and this year with the Kings, but once he came back down to Earth, so did his value. So, is Scrivens the rock in net that is going to lead the rebuilding Oilers into the future? Or is it time for Edmonton to get as much out of the streaky goaltender as possible on the trade market? As always, its Your Call! ' ' '