Nicolas Anelka exit will strengthen West Brom - Pepe Mel
Boss Pepe Mel today admitted the end of the Nicolas Anelka saga should benefit Albion's bid for Premier League survival.
The Hawthorns head coach believes the departure of Anelka, who left the club on Friday with the Baggies claiming he was sacked, should remove a potential distraction from his team.
Mel's comments came after news emerged the FA will appeal to FIFA to ensure Anelka does not escape punishment for his 'quenelle' goal celebration by moving countries.
He tweeted on Friday that he had quit Albion, only for the club to claim just hours later that they had sacked the Frenchman for 'gross misconduct' over the gesture at West Ham in December and Friday's tweets.
Speaking for the first time since Anelka's departure, Mel said: "My relationship with Nicolas Anelka was good and he helped me but I hope now the situation is resolved in the best way possible for all parties.
"The club needs all of its forces and energy to move forward.
"We are professionals and not keeping West Bromwich Albion up would be a failure for everyone."
Anelka, who was banned for five matches and fined £80,000 by an independent commission which ruled the gesture was anti-Semitic, tweeted that he had terminated his contract to preserve his 'integrity'.
But late on Friday night, Albion issued a statement claiming Anelka had refused accept a fine and to apologise to sponsors, fans and the community in order to stay at the club.
It read: "Nicolas Anelka's purported termination of his Premier League contract via social media was invalid as this was not conducted under the correct legal process as required by his contract.
"The club considers the conduct of Nicolas Anelka on December 28, coupled with his purported termination on social media, to be gross misconduct.
"As a result the club has written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days' notice of termination as required under his contract."
Meanwhile, it is understood the FA will write to world governing body FIFA to ask that the five-match ban and the fine are levied on Anelka at whichever club he may choose to go to next.
And the FA will ask that Anelka completes an education course before he is allowed to play anywhere in the world.
