Zoopla - Axe Anelka by Monday or lose sponsorship deal

West Brom sponsor Zoopla threatens to axe deal over Anelka 'quenelle' gesture


17 Jan 2014 17:31


Jewish-owned property website demands that French striker is dropped over goal celebration which was criticised as anti-Semitic



Zoopla is threatening to axe its multi-million pound shirt deal with West Bromwich Albion over Nicolas Anelka’s ‘quenelle’ goal celebration , according to reports.



Marketing Week has revealed that the property website has handed an ultimatum to the Baggies to axe the French star by Monday when they face Everton, or they will pull the deal over the anti-Semitism row.



Zoopla is co-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterman.



It is reported the firm delivered the ultimatum earlier this week, claiming it does not want to be associated with the gesture.



FA officials launched an investigation into Anelka's goal celebration after the Premier League match against West Ham in December.



The property firm’s two-year deal with the club ends this summer and Marketing Week says the club have already lined up a replacement for the remainder of the season.



When the sponsorship deal was announced in 2012 the £3 million deal was the club’s biggest ever sponsorship deal to date.



The online property search and research company replaced Bodog.



UK-based company Zoopla officially become club sponsors from June 1, 2012, and have additional high-profile branding at The Hawthorns.



The company did not respond to a request for comment when the Mail tried to contact them.



A spokesman from West Bromwich Albion said: “West Bromwich Albion will be making no further comment until the Football Association has concluded its investigation, and the club its own internal enquiry, into the matter.”