'Quenelle' funnyman Dieudonné is banned from entering UK

The Home Office has barred Dieudonné from entering the UK (Getty Images)

A controversial French comedian at the centre of the Nicolas Anelka anti-semitism row has been banned from entering the UK, the Home Office said.

Dieudonné M'bala M'bala previously announced he would visit London to support the West Bromwich Albion footballer, who faces a ban for performing the comic's "quenelle" salute on the pitch, which is believed by some to be an anti-semitic gesture.

The Football Association (FA) charged Anelka over the pose, struck after scoring against West Ham on 28 December 2013, and he faces a minimum five-match ban if found guilty. Anelka has denied the charge and requested a personal hearing.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that Mr Dieudonné is subject to an exclusion order.

"The Home Secretary will seek to exclude an individual from the UK if she considers that there are public policy or public security reasons to do so."

PA

West Bromwich Albion's French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal against West Ham United