Anelka scored twice as West Brom came from behind on two occasions to earn a point at Upton Park on Saturday, but caused a stir after the former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester City forward followed his first of the game with a gesture known in France as the 'quenelle'. 

The gesture, made famous by comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, is said to have anti-Semitic connotations and has been described as a 'Nazi salute in reverse'. Dieudonne, though, has insisted that it is anti-Zionist. 

And interim West Brom head coach Downing was quick to defend the 34-year-old Anelka. 

"No, not at all," Downing responded when asked if he is expecting disciplinary action to be taken against Anelka. 

"It was dedicated to a friend of his who is a comedian in France. He's totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation thrown around.

"He's absolutely totally surprised by it. 

"It's a gesture he uses in his act and the speculation, we can stop that now, I think it's absolutely rubbish really." 

However, French minister of sports, youth, popular education and community life Valerie Fourneyron took to her Twitter profile to criticise her compatriot. 

"The gesture Anelka is a shocking provocation, disgusting. No place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on football field," she wrote.