West Brom to sack Anelka for 'gross misconduct' following player's social media 'outburst'

Premier League side West Bromwich Albion will reportedly sack striker Nicolas Anelka for 'gross misconduct' following the player's announcement that he will be quitting the club.

Anelka, who was banned for five games and fined 80,000 pounds for making the 'quenelle' gesture after scoring against West Ham United in December, wrote on social media he was leaving with 'immediate effect' after failing to reconcile differences with Albion over the sign.

According to the BBC, Anelka, who is already on suspension by Albion, will be sacked by the club for his social media outburst and his conduct in December and the player has given a two-weeks notice of the termination of his contract.

Anelka wrote on social media that he was leaving the club immediately as he cannot accept 'certain conditions' which were set for him to rejoin the club, adding that in order to 'preserve his integrity', he has terminated his contract with West Brom with 'immediate effect'.

However, West Brom responded by releasing a statement saying that 'the termination was invalid as it was not conducted under the correct legal process', adding that Anelka was asked to apologise to it, its supporters, sponsors and the wider community for the impact and consequences of his gesture and secondly that he accept a substantial fine.

West Brom further stated that it considers the conduct of Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on social media, to be 'gross misconduct'.

The striker, whose 12-month deal runs out at the end of the season, would only have been eligible to play in Albion's final five Premier League games due to his ban, the report added.