Player Nazi Salute, AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis was handed a life ban from all national teams by Greece's soccer federation EPO on Sunday after he appeared to give a Nazi salute to supporters during a match.
Katidis, 20, a former captain of Greece's under-19 team, made the alleged salute in celebrating his winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over lowly Veria late on Saturday.
"The player's action to salute to spectators in a Nazi manner is a severe provocation, insults all the victims of Nazi bestiality and injures the deeply pacifist and human character of the game," EPO said in statement.
Katidis was heavily criticised by political parties and fans on Twitter and Facebook following the incident at the Athens Olympic Stadium. Sunday marks the 70th anniversary of Greek Jew deportations in Nazi concentration camps in the Second World War.
AEK have asked Katidis to explain himself and will then decide his future at a board meeting next week.
Katidis denied he gave a Nazi salute. "I am not a fascist and would not have done it if I had known what it meant," Katidis said on his Twitter account.
The player said he was simply pointing at Michalis Pavlis in the stands to dedicate the goal to his team mate as he continues to fight health problems.
AEK's German coach Ewald Lienen backed Katidis.
"He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on the Internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means," he said.
AEK are languishing in 10th place in the table with 29 points from 26 games. Veria are fourth from bottom.
Katidis joined the club from Aris Salonika last year after impressing in Greece's run to the final of the European Under-19 Championship where they lost to Spain.
.
.
Popular Posts
-
Don Cherry Buys His Suits Don Cherry Buys His Suits. Frank Cosco, 84: Don Cherry's tailor. About 20 years ago the motor mouth sports...
-
Biggest loser injured Biggest loser injured. "Biggest Loser" fan favorite Sam Poueu is recovering after suffering serious injuri...
-
How Much TV Is Too Much For Children How Much TV Is Too Much For Children. The more TV a toddler watches, the higher the likelihood they wi...
-
+Best Paid Athletes 2011 +Best Paid Athletes 2011. Highest Paid Athletes 2011 Major different sports. Interesting article on Highest paid at...
-
Katie Couric is set to make a guest appearance on the FOX musical sitcom "Glee" during its anticipated Super Bowl episode, which ...
-
Heather Locklear's Parents: "This Was Not a Suicide Attempt" Heather Locklear's Parents: "This Was Not a Suicide Atte...
-
Gold Prices Ease, Gold prices futures on Monday-Gold prices plunge as economic fears ease: Gold fell on Monday, under pressure from a softe...
-
Biggest sports fines Biggest Sports Fines. The most recent fine and suspension in professional sports goes to Atlanta Braves pitching coac...
-
Christina Aguilera Etta James Funeral, Etta James Funeral: Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder Perform (Video)Rev. Al Sharpton read a personal...
-
Civil War death toll 750,000 America's bloodiest war could be about to get even bloodier - 150 years after it finished. Nearly a cen...