Greek soccer player gets life ban for Nazi salute

[Jazzy]

AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been banned from any Greek national team for life after giving a Nazi salute while celebrating a goal in the Greek league.



Greece's football federation said Sunday in a statement that the player's gesture is a deep insult to all victims of Nazi brutality.



The 20-year-old Katidis gave a Nazi salute after scoring the winner in AEK's 2-1 victory over Veria on Saturday. His action provoked an immediate and overwhelmingly negative response on social media. Katidis apologized on TV and Twitter, pleading ignorance about the meaning of the salute.



I am not racist in any way, Katidis said on his Twitter account, according to a Google translation.

Full article



Do you think he deserves a life ban? Why or why not.

 

[The Dragon Master]

Maybe not a life ban, he's young, he's probably arrogant, he needs a good slap around the head and a life ban is probably going too far. Maybe a ban for several years or whatnot but not a life ban.



Though, I don't know if it was the same footballer it was, he gave the reason that he was pointing at an injured team mate. Now the picture that's in a different news story here, I don't think he was pointing at an injured team mate.

 

[boatswife]

We see NFL players pointing all the time and it certainly doesn't look like that.

 

[Jazzy]

You point with one finger not with four. Clearly a Nazi salute and he deserves what he got.

 

[Evil Eye]

Eh, I wouldn't be surprised if he really was just ignorant.

 

[JetWing34]

As a soccer fan, and as an American, Katidis deserved a lifetime ban.

That salute made not only fans of AEK Athens and soccer fans from Greek unhappy, but the entire world, including every country who fought Germany in World War II in the past.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

After seeing the photo, it looks very clear to me that he is not pointing but saluting. If that is the case, it's clearly offensive. However, I'm not too sure about the punishment. Personally, as it relates to sports, I reserve permanent bans for things like doping or gambling that forever tarnish the integrity of the game and/or the sport itself. That being said I'm sure the federation responded predictably, as I don't think any organization would want to associate themselves with such imagery.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Just because he stuck his arm out like that, it doesnt mean he is a nazi or supports them. I believe that he could have been ignorant to the whole thing and just made a mistake.

 

[Success]

Life ban might be a bit harsh, especially since he is pretty young. Really idiotic of him to do it though, a year or so ban and a heavy fine might have suited it better.