French footballer Nicolas Anelka has caused a storm by using the `` quenelle '' gesture as a goal celebration . The French government said this month it wants to ban his live performances . The gesture was created by controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala . In an interview with France Football, he said that it is not racist but rather a way of expressing his love for football and to show solidarity between players from different countries. Figures from 2012 show a 59 % rise in anti-Semitic attacks .
French footballer Nicolas Anelka has caused a storm by using the `` quenelle '' gesture as a goal celebration . The gesture was created by controversial French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala . In an interview with France Football, he said that it is not racist but rather a way of expressing his love for football and to show solidarity between players from different countries. Figures from 2012 show a 59 % rise in anti-Semitic attacks .