Nicolas Anelka disciplinary hearing to start next week

The disciplinary hearing into Nicolas Anelka's 'quenelle' gesture will get underway at the start of next week.

The West Bromwich Albion striker was charged by the Football Association last month for making the gesture during a match against West Ham United in December.

Anelka, 34, requested a personal hearing after denying that the gesture was anti-Semitic.

The former French international claimed that he did it in support of his friend, the controversial comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala.

A three-man independent regulatory panel will now meet after the weekend to hear Anelka's case.