The FA could push for Nicolas Anelka to serve more than a five-match ban for a racially aggravated goal celebration by appealing against its own disciplinary panel's verdict.
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caption:Nicolas Anelka insisted his controversial celebration was not anti-Semitic.
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The West Bromwich Albion striker on Thursday received the minimum FA racism ban for performing a gesture which is known in France as a 'quenelle' and has been called an "inverted Nazi salute."
Although the gesture was found to be racist, the FA's independent commission backed Anelka's insistence that he was not being intentionally anti-Semitic.
"We haven't got the written reasons yet, and we'll get those on Monday. At which point it's open to appeal from either our side or from Nicolas Anelka's side," FA General Secretary Alex Horne said after attending a meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
Until then, Horne said he could not comment on "whether five matches is enough."
The punishment, which includes a fine of 80,000 pounds, does not take effect until the potential appeal process ends.
Anelka performed the 'quenelle' as he celebrated scoring in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham on Dec. 28.
The gesture involves pointing one straightened arm downward while touching the shoulder with the opposite hand.
It was popularised by French comedian Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala, who has been convicted multiple times for inciting racial hatred or anti-Semitism.