Benoit Assou-Ekotto banned for three games after 'quenelle' tweet

Tottenham Hotspur defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has received a three-match suspension and fine after he made comments regarding Nicolas Anelka's 'quenelle' gesture.

The 30-year-old, who will also have to pay £50,000 plus hearing costs, was found guilty after a Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, and the Cameroon international will also have to complete a compulsory education course.

An FA statement read: "Even though we have found that there was an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3, we are satisfied that when the player sent the tweet on December 28, 2013, congratulating Anelka.

"In his mind, he believed he was congratulating Anelka on what he perceived to be an anti-establishment gesture as opposed to one associated with anti-Semitism."

After the gesture, Anelka was banned for five games, while Hull City striker Yannick Sagbo was sidelined for two games following a similar tweet to that of Assou-Ekotto.