Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed his disappointment after being charged by the Football Association for making a comment about the 'quenelle' gesture on social media.
The Queens Park Rangers defender, on loan at the club from Tottenham Hotspur, admits that he is eager to argue his case to the FA following his post on Twitter, which came after West Bromwich Albion forward Nicolas Anelka was given a five-match ban for using the gesture.
"I am disappointed to have been charged by the Football Association with misconduct in respect of my use of Twitter but I am grateful that as part of this process I will be able to present my case to them," Assou-Ekotto said in a statement released to PA.
"I would like to reassure the fans of both Tottenham and QPR, along with the football community generally, that I condemn discrimination and racism in any form."
The gesture is strongly associated with anti-semitism in France.