West Brom's Anelka banned for five games over gesture

LONDON (Reuters) - West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka has been banned for five games for an offensive gesture in a Premier League game against West Ham United in December, the Football Association said on Thursday.

(Reuters)

The FA said Anelka had also been fined 80,000 pounds. The penalty is suspended until the outcome of any appeal which must be made within seven days.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Robert Woodward)