Player Nazi salute: 20-year-old soccer player banned after Nazi salute

A soccer player's Nazi salute got him banned for life. The Greek player, Giorgos Katidis, did a Nazi salute while celebrating a goal that he scored for his team, AEK Athens, on March 16. According to the Washington Post, Katidis was kicked off the team and banned for life after the gesture.

"Katidis drew immediate criticism on social media, but said on Twitter that he was unaware of the significance of the gesture and claimed that he was pointing to Michalis Pavlis, an injured teammate who was in the crowd. Katidis had scored the go-ahead goal in a 2-1 win over Veria," the Washington Post reports.

A player Nazi salute is never acceptable and despite Katidis' denial, he won't be welcomed to play soccer on the national team any more. It may also be difficult for the 20-year-old midfielder to play for any team, given that his actions. Still Katidis says that he was not honoring Hitler in any way and that the gesture was just him pointing, not him doing something offensive.

Player Nazi Salute: Katsidis "pointing"?Player Nazi Salute: Katsidis "pointing"?

"I am not racist in any way. I abhor fascism. I would not have done it if I knew that it meant something. I know the consequences and would not do it ever," Katidis tweeted after the incident.

Did the player's Nazi salute offend you? Was it clear that Giorgos Katidis was giving the Nazi salute or do you believe his explanation?

© Effie Orfanides 2013