West Brom have sacked Nicolas Anelka for “gross misconduct” following the striker’s announcement on Twitter that he was choosing to terminate his contract.

Anelka was already serving club suspension over his use of the controversial “quenelle” gesture when celebrating a goal. The striker last night announced on social media he was quitting the club. He wrote on Twitter: "Following discussions between the club and myself, certain conditions have been set for me to rejoin the group, which I can't accept.

"In order to preserve my integrity, I've terminated my contract with West Brom with immediate effect."

West Brom said they had not received any formal notification of this and have rejected Anelka's claim. The club have now said in a statement that the Frenchman had been unwilling to agree to conditions in his contract “which may have enabled his suspension to be lifted and for him to resume training."

The club say Anelka was unwilling to apologise to the club, supporters and sponsors for his use of the quenelle, and was also unwilling to accept a fine.

The club statement continued: “These conditions were, firstly, that the Club required Nicolas Anelka to apologise to it, its supporters, sponsors and the wider community for the impact and consequences of his gesture made on December 28 and secondly, that he accept a substantial fine.

“Nicolas Anelka’s purported termination of his Premier League contract this evening 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 this evening, to be gross misconduct.

“As a result the Club has tonight written to Nicolas Anelka giving him 14 days’ notice of termination as required under his contract.”