West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka is set to fight the FA charge over his 'quenelle' gesture.
Anelka is facing a minimum five-match ban, unless he can prove his case, after being charged by the FA with performing an alleged anti-Semitic gesture during his club's match against West Ham on December 28.
The striker insists he is neither anti-Semitic nor racist and believed he had the backing of a Jewish community leader in the battle to clear his name.
However Roger Cukierman, the president of CRIF (Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France), who initially appeared to have sided with the 34-year-old footballer, later said he considered Anelka's behaviour "clearly suspect".
Anelka has until 6pm on Thursday to formally respond to the FA charge.
