Topics: English Premier League, Football Association, Wayne Hennessey
He risks getting a minimum five-game ban.

The English Football Association has sanctioned Crystal Palace goalkeeper for breaching FA rules after he allegedly made the Nazi salute in a photograph posted on Instagram. At a dinner with his teammates earlier this month, the 31-year-old shot-stopper was spotted in German midfielder Max Meyer's post with one hand raised forward.

This stirred up a frenzy on social media with some users labeling the Welshman's gesture as fascistic. Nonetheless, Hennessey subsequently iterated that any resemblance to his gesture was "absolutely coincidental". In wake of the incident, his post on Twitter read: "Yesterday evening I had a meal with my team mates and we had a group photograph.

"I waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it and at the same time put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry.

"It's been brought to my attention that frozen in a moment by the camera this looks like I am making a completely inappropriate type of salute.

"I can assure everyone I would never ever do that and any resemblance to that kind of gesture is absolutely coincidental. Love and peace Wayne."

However, upon reviewing the incident, the FA maintains that Hennessey violated its rules.

"Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3," the FA tweeted on Wednesday.

"It is alleged that a gesture he made, which was captured by a photograph and posted on social media, breached Rule E3[1] as it was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

"It is further alleged that this constitutes an 'Aggravated Breach', which is defined in Rule E3[2], as it included reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion and/or belief. Hennessey has until 31 January 2019 to respond to the charge."

According to The Guardian, the Crystal Palace shot-stopper risks attracting a minimum five-match ban if found guilty.