• Everton striker says he was supporting a friend
• ‘I was in no way endorsing the gesture’

Romelu Lukaku has apologised for any offence caused by his comments regarding Nicolas Anelka.

Lukaku, the 20-year-old Belgium striker who is on loan at Everton from Chelsea, featured in a video interview posted on the Everton website in which he said there did not have to be “such a big deal” made about Anelka’s controversial quenelle celebration and that he thought the West Brom frontman should not be banned over it.

The quenelle, a pose Anelka struck after scoring against West Ham on 28 December, has been labelled antisemitic and an inverted Nazi salute, and Anelka must respond to a Football Association charge concerning his demonstration of it by 6pm on Thursday.

Lukaku said in a statement: “I want to make clear that I was supporting a friend and player I have admired since I was a child.

“I apologise if I caused any offence with my comments as this was never my intention. There has been a misunderstanding and I want to clarify that I was in no way endorsing the gesture made by Nicolas.”

• Nicolas Anelka
• Race issues
• Everton

theguardian.com