FA to investigate Ivorians' celebrations

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The FA are to investigate the goal celebrations by Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba during Chelsea's 2–0 win against Middlesbrough. Kalou has denied that he celebrated his goals with a political 'handcuff' gesture in support of, Ivory Coast activist, Antoine Assalé Tiémoko, saying: "People are always going to think there is something in what you do, but it didn't mean anything. "I was just happy. I don't even know the guy. It has nothing to do with football. It wasn't for him, I don't know him so I don't know why I should celebrate for him?" 

However, Chelsea team-mate and fellow Ivorian Didier Drogba also appeared to perform the same celebration, leading the FA to investigate the incidents further.

Tiémoko was recently released from a one-year prison sentence after being convicted of "libelling the prosecutor's office" and being in "contempt of court."

He was arrested in December 2007 after newspaper Le Nouveau Reveil published his opinion piece on judicial corruption.

"Salomon says there was nothing in it," said a Chelsea spokesman. "He was just trying out a new celebration and it was a crossing of the arms. He also sometimes puts his hand over his face like a mask."

The incident follows a similar 'handcuff' goal celebration by Ipswich Town's David Norris.

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.