German police investigate fan for Nazi salute during soccer match against Israel

Country’s soccer association ‘strongly condemns’ incident during Saturday’s friendly game in Sinsheim

By AFP and ToI Staff 28 March 2022, 9:15 pm 0 Edit

Israel's goalkeeper Ofir Marciano, left, makes a save in front of Germany's Jamal Musiala, center, during the international friendly soccer match between Germany and Israel in Sinsheim, Germany, March 26, 2022. (Michael Probst/AP)

The German soccer association has condemned the behavior of a home supporter who is being investigated for giving the Nazi salute during his team’s win against Israel in Saturday’s friendly match.

A 28-year-old man has been questioned by police after repeatedly giving the Nazi salute, which is banned in Germany, during the international in Sinsheim.

In a statement, the German Football Association (DFB) said it “strongly condemned the right-wing extremist incident.”

The DFB has a hotline number and an online “whistleblower” system to help fans report incidents during all Germany matches.

“Discrimination in the form of insults or (all) discrimination must have no place in football (soccer),” the statement added.

Germany won the friendly match 2-0.

There was a separate antisemitic incident during a soccer match in Germany against Israeli opposition earlier this season.

In October, Union Berlin had to apologize after their fans hurled antisemitic insults at visiting supporters of Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa during a European match.

Haifa was the first club from Israel to play at the Nazi-era Olympic stadium, which was built for the 1936 Games.

Union later banned a supporter over the incident.