Greek soccer player in hot water over Nazi salute

Giorgos Katidis of AEK Athens celebrates a goal with a controversial gesture and later says he hates fascism

17 March 2013, 2:53 pm Edit

Giorgos Katidis salutes (photo credit: YouTube screenshot)

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has earned rebukes from politicians, fellow athletes and fans after appearing to give a Nazi salute in celebration of a goal he scored in the Greek league.

Photographs show him giving a Nazi salute after scoring the winning goal in the 84th minute in the 2-1 victory over visiting Veria on Saturday. In one photo, Katidis’ Brazilian-born teammate, Roger Guerreiro, looks at him with an expression of astonishment.

The 20-year-old Katidis pleaded ignorance of the meaning of his gesture — right arm extended and hand straightened. He claimed on his Twitter account that he detests fascism.

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/GiwrgosKatidis/status/313020252726390784″]

AEK’s German coach, Ewald Lienen, said the player doesn’t have an “idea about politics.”