Giorgos Katidis a midfielder with AEK Athens has been
handed a life ban from all national teams by Greek Football Federation for
giving fans a Nazi salute during a match.
The 20-year-old, a former captain of Greece’s Under-19 team, made the gesture
in celebrating his winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over lowly Veria
on Saturday. Katidis apologised and asked to be dropped from AEK’s first team.
handed a life ban from all national teams by Greek Football Federation for
giving fans a Nazi salute during a match.
The 20-year-old, a former captain of Greece’s Under-19 team, made the gesture
in celebrating his winning goal in a 2-1 Super League victory over lowly Veria
on Saturday. Katidis apologised and asked to be dropped from AEK’s first team.
“I would like to confess that I am totally unacceptable and I feel
terrible for those I upset with the stupidity of my act,” Katidis said in
a statement.
terrible for those I upset with the stupidity of my act,” Katidis said in
a statement.
“I made the mistake so I will be the one to pay for it, AEK is not
responsible. So that is why I have decided to put myself out of the team
because I have now realised how much I have offended the history of the club.
responsible. So that is why I have decided to put myself out of the team
because I have now realised how much I have offended the history of the club.
“Also, I understand fully the reasons for the decision made by the
Greek Football Federation to which I owe a huge apology as it has helped me to
get where I am in the professional game.” Katidis reiterated that he was
not a fascist or racist.
Greek Football Federation to which I owe a huge apology as it has helped me to
get where I am in the professional game.” Katidis reiterated that he was
not a fascist or racist.
“Unfortunately I cannot take the clock back but I want to clarify
that I am not a fascist or neo-Nazi or racist. I have a step brother from
Puerto Rico and all my family are from the Black Sea and have experienced
racism in the worst ways,” he said.
that I am not a fascist or neo-Nazi or racist. I have a step brother from
Puerto Rico and all my family are from the Black Sea and have experienced
racism in the worst ways,” he said.
“There is no reason to look for excuses. I was completely wrong and I
will pay for it with a lot of pain because despite being only 20 years old my
career is now at risk.
will pay for it with a lot of pain because despite being only 20 years old my
career is now at risk.
“I sincerely apologise to my team mates and everyone involved with
the club that I have insulted in not knowing exactly what I had done in my
celebration. Nonetheless, the fact that I did not know what I was doing is no
excuse,” Katidis added.
the club that I have insulted in not knowing exactly what I had done in my
celebration. Nonetheless, the fact that I did not know what I was doing is no
excuse,” Katidis added.
AEK have asked Katidis to explain himself and will decide his future at a
board meeting next week.
board meeting next week.
He 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.
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.
“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,” the Greek federation
(EPO) said in statement.
severe provocation, insults all the victims of Nazi bestiality and injures the
deeply pacifist and human character of the game,” the Greek federation
(EPO) said in statement.
