http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1378481/greece-nationals-ban-giorgos-katidis-for-life-after-nazi-salute?cc=590

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Greek league
National team bans Giorgos Katidis
March 17, 2013
By Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece -- Greek soccer player Giorgos Katidis has been banned from his national team for life after giving a Nazi salute while celebrating a goal in the topflight league.


AP Photo/INTIME
AEK Athens' Giorgos Katidis celebrated a goal with a Nazi salute, then claimed later he detests fascism.
Greece's soccer federation said Sunday in a statement that the AEK Athens midfielder's gesture "is a deep insult to all victims of Nazi brutality."

The 20-year-old Katidis gave a Nazi salute after scoring the go-ahead goal Saturday in AEK's 2-1 victory over Veria in the Greek league.

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

AEK and the Greek league are considering separate sanctions. AEK fans have demanded Katidis' dismissal from the team.

Katidis has played for Greek national junior teams but not the senior side.

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I wouldn't want that representing my country either. Like Terry and Lampard on 9/11.

Hmmm... maybe he's a big fan of Julius Caesar?

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I wouldn't want that representing my country either. Like Terry and Lampard on 9/11.

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Not even close to the same thing.

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I wouldn't want that representing my country either. Like Terry and Lampard on 9/11.

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You are kidding right?

For those who didn't know about this:

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This is the guy who according to the Daily Mail
"In the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, he and Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jody Morris were accused of drunkenly mocking American tourists at Heathrow, stripping naked, laughing and vomiting."

Not there is a real captain for you , a man who leads by example...

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This is exactly the same, perhaps worse, because they didn't have the "decency" to wait 75 years after the incident to act like wankers.

The incident in Greece involved a player on the pitch during a game.

I couldn't care less what players do off the pitch. A lot of the crap people berate John Terry for could have happened to anyone.

I'll also say that as an American you may not fully appreciate the depth of feeling references to naziism evoke in countries that fought WW2 on their own soil.

[This message has been edited by Uncle Boo Boo (edited 3/18/2013 11:38a).]

Exactly the same, maybe worse? So a couple of guys that were accused (never proven, which would be difficult) of saying something insensitive while drunk is exactly the same (maybe worse) as guy throwing up a hail hitler after scoring a goal? Who is being the wanker here?

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I could care less what players do off the pitch. A lot of the crap people berate John Terry for could have happened to anyone.

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*Couldn't care less.

And "could have happened"? You act like John Terry was just standing in, say, the customs line at Heathrow and someone came up and, among other improprieties, forced him to sleep with teammate's WAGS and make racists remarks. Actually, that bit happened on the pitch.

That bit with Ferdinand allegedly happened. Even assuming it did, it is still very different than making a gesture seen by the entire stadium. Unless JT gets on the PA system and announces that Ferdinand is a "f'ing black c--t" for the entire crowd to hear it is not in the same ballpark.

I'm not going to argue that Terry sleeping with a teammate's gf is acceptable behavior. I just think people overreact to a lot of things he does. We have all made mistakes in life and I am sure that there are some media types writing crap about him that have been unfaithful themselves or would if they faced the same temptations that Terry does.

Besides that, i's hard to feel too bad for Wayne Bridge when Cheryl Cole is giving him her shoulder to cry on.

I don't think most people have made mistakes of the magnitude I am thoroughly convinced Terry makes on a routine basis.

I do think we overreact to a lot of things a lot of people do, but I do think someone in an exceptional position such as captain of Chelsea FC and the English National squad should make exceptional effort to stay in the news for the right reasons and not for the wrong reasons.

Anyways, I digress. Performing the Hitlergruss after a goal on a pitch in Greece is indeed extremely unacceptable. I just wish we could get an honest response from the moron who did it.

He's a 20 year old athlete. We're not dealing with the most rational and forward-thinking subculture.

Making the Roman-now-Nazi salute is extremely stupid and offensive, but I think a lifetime ban is a bit over the top.

So Uncle Boo Boo is a chelski fan, I assume.

Blue is the colour!

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He's a 20 year old athlete. We're not dealing with the most rational and forward-thinking subculture.

Making the Roman-now-Nazi salute is extremely stupid and offensive, but I think a lifetime ban is a bit over the top.

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This.

It was an extremely stupid and offensive gesture, but would he have received the same ban for causing actual harm to other people or their property (rape, fight, theft, etc.)?

Not that it should matter in terms of punishment, but Greece had a few Neo-Nazis elected to the government in the last election because of how upset people are with the current situation. They have a few individuals in their government that do this kind of thing publicly all the time.

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accused (never proven, which would be difficult)

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So Uncle Boo Boo is a The Chelski fan, I assume.

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FIFY

Come on noob...

Idiot, but lifetime ban is very harsh. 6 months would be a more appropriate punishment.

bans and suspensions are dumb

i prefer cash like transactions...tar and feather him and parade him naked around the streets of poland, then call it a day

Come on guys.
The lifetime ban is an effort by local Greek authorities to promote tolerance and diversity in soccer


OT: Anyone remember when Steve Cherundolo was carded for pointing to his temple, in a 'what what are you thinking' manner, when addressing a referee? Apparently the gesture means something different in Germany than in the US.

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i prefer cash like transactions...tar and feather him and parade him naked around the streets of poland, then call it a day

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I like it!

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The lifetime ban is an effort by local Greek authorities to promote tolerance and diversity in soccer

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An interesting paradox.