Zoopla to end West Brom sponsorship deal following Anelka controversy

The property website have decided to cut ties with the Baggies at the end of the season in light of the recent racism row sparked by the Frenchman

Zoopla have announced that they will not renew their sponsorship deal with West Brom following Nicolas Anelka's controversial 'quenelle' gesture.

The property website announced on Monday that they would bring to an end their two-year agreement with the Premier League club at the end of the 2013-14 campaign, having reviewed their position in light of the furore around the Frenchman's actions.

Anelka made the salute, which has been linked to anti-Semitic connotations in his native France, after scoring against West Ham on December 28.

He defended the gesture as simply a dedication to friend and comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, however the incident attracted widespread criticism.

Amid reports that Zoopla would ask West Brom to remove their logo from Anelka's shirt for Monday’s game against Everton, the company confirmed via a statement that they would not renew their shirt sponsorship deal.

A statement from the company read: "Zoopla, the principal sponsor of Premier League football club West Bromwich Albion, has announced today that it will end its sponsorship at the end of the current season.

"Zoopla has been reviewing its position over the past few weeks in light of the actions of striker, Nicolas Anelka, during the match against West Ham over the Christmas period and has decided to focus its attention on other marketing activities after this season.

"Zoopla has worked closely with the club and the local community throughout its two-season sponsorship, having committed over £100,000 (€120,000) to the Albion Foundation and other local charities, and will continue to meet its obligations for the rest of the current season."

Head of communications for Zoopla, Lawrence Hall, added: "Through our sponsorship of West Bromwich Albion we are pleased to have supported the local community and charities.

"In recent weeks, however, we have decided to re-evaluate this sponsorship and as a result we will focus our attention on other marketing activities from the end of the season."