Anelka to play on as FA investigates salute
Football
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16 senior Scotland internationalists and 43 players eligible to represent the country, and Willem Nel and Francis looking to become eligible through residency. But, while he sticks to the mantra of just seeking improvement, Solomons is eager to continue the club’s drive towards PRO12 play-off contention sooner rather than later, and that means turning to proven performers.
A tall, commanding player, Bezuidenhout was a member of the Natal Sharks Currie Cup squad that lifted the 2008 Premier Division title and reached the semi-finals on three other occasions. He then spent a season with Eastern Province before moving to Nelspruit in 2010 where he was a key ingredient in the Pumas’ improved fortunes, going one better than their 2012 runners-up place with this year’s unbeaten championship campaign.
He is not Scottish-qualified and, while he could become so, at the age of 30, he is not looking that far ahead.
He said: “I’m just extremely excited to be here. Playing in Europe is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. I just needed the break and this is it.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for a new experience; different rugby, different people, different cultures, it’s all very appealing to me and I’m really glad I’m here. I’ve always wanted to travel with the sport. I got married in March so it’s something that we both really wanted to try as well.”
Having trained yesterday, he could go straight into Edinburgh’s squad for the 1872 Cup rematch with Glasgow at Scotstoun tomorrow, but with stand-in stand-off Greig Tonks one of the team’s best performers on Boxing Day and Fenner yet to make his first appearance for the side, the match might just be too soon.
Bezuidenhout added: “It’s just going to take hard work and I need to get stuck in from day one. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance out on the paddock soon to play my natural game and kick on from there. But I’m delighted about it.” NICOLAS Anelka will be available to play for West Bromwich Albion while the FA investigates his alleged anti-Semitic goal celebration during Saturday’s 3-3 Premier League draw at West Ham United.
The former France striker celebrated the first of his two goals with an apparent quenelle hand signal, made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, which is linked to anti-Semitism.
After denying anti-Semitic intent over the weekend, Anelka was asked to explain himself to West Brom’s technical director Richard Garlick when he arrived for training yesterday.
“The club fully acknowledges that Nicolas’s goal celebration has caused offence in some quarters and has asked Nicolas not to perform the gesture again,” West Brom said in a statement.
“Nicolas immediately agreed to adhere to this request. The club is aware that the Football Association is investigating the matter and has offered its full co-operation. Nicolas is eligible for matches whilst the FA carries out its investigation. Therefore, Nicolas will remain under consideration for first-team selection whilst the FA and club continue their enquiries.” The match was televised live in France, whose sports minister, Valerie Fourneyron, drew widespread attention to the incident by tweeting: “Anelka’s gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There’s no place for antiSemitism on the football field.”
Anelka tried to play down the incident. “This gesture was a special dedication to my friend Dieudonne,” he said on Twitter. NATURALLY there was much shock, support and best wishes for Michael Schumacher on Twitter.
Former Hearts player Ryan McGowan was back to support the Jamie Skinner memorial match.