Anelka denies racism charge

London - The English Football Association says West Bromwich Albion striker Nicolas Anelka has denied a charge for a racially aggravated gesture.

Anelka faces a minimum five-game ban.

The FA says in a statement that Anelka "has denied the charge and requested a personal hearing."

An FA panel will decide Anelka's guilt and possible sanction for performing the gesture after scoring in a 28 December English Premieship game against West Ham.

Anelka insists his use of the gesture, which has been described as an "inverted Nazi salute," was not anti-Semitic.