West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka will go up against a Football Association charge handed to him for a gesture he made in late December.
The Frenchman performed the 'quenelle', believed to be an anti-Semitic gesture, after scoring against West Ham United on December 28.
On Monday the FA charged Anelka for making an 'abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper' gesture, which 'included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief'.
But the Baggies have released a statement suggesting Anelka feels he has not performed any wrongdoing by using what he describes as an anti-establishment signal.
"West Bromwich Albion can confirm that Nicolas Anelka has denied an FA charge regarding the gesture he made after scoring his first goal against West Ham United on December 28," read the statement.
"The striker has requested a personal hearing. The club will make no further comment until The FA's disciplinary process has reached a conclusion."
