Greek soccer player gives nazi salute on field

**mrveggieman** · 03-19-2013, 09:05 AM

**duane1969** · 03-19-2013, 09:54 AM

In messages posted on Twitter late Saturday (before his account disappeared from the social network), Katidis, a midfielder for AEK Athens, insisted that he was “not racist,” and claimed that he was entirely ignorant of the meaning of the salute. “I despise fascism,” he wrote. “I would not have done it if I knew what something like this meant. I know what the consequences are and I would never have done it.”

Just my .02, but the Nazi salute and what this guy did are not the same. It looks similar, but unless there is some reason to believe that this guy is a racist, has racist ties or is racially motivated, it looks to me to just be some type of celebratory salute in the heat of the moment.

**mrveggieman** · 03-19-2013, 09:56 AM

Get a load of how this guy's teamate is giving him the "dude what are you thinking" look.

**duane1969** · 03-19-2013, 10:28 AM

Yeah I thought that part was pretty funny. Considering the guys heritage, I just don't think he was giving a Nazi salute. He probably saw the salute given some time, kind of forgot where he saw it, and in the heat of the moment he did it.

**habsheaven** · 03-19-2013, 10:44 AM

How could anyone who has completed any kind of schooling not know what that salute represents? He may have made an error in judgement in the heat of the moment but he obviously recognized the significance of it after it was done. Claiming ignorance over this only proves he is ignorant enough to think anyone would believe him.

**duane1969** · 03-19-2013, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by habsheaven

How could anyone who has completed any kind of schooling not know what that salute represents? He may have made an error in judgement in the heat of the moment but he obviously recognized the significance of it after it was done. Claiming ignorance over this only proves he is ignorant enough to think anyone would believe him.

I can see it. He grew up in Greece. I can't say this with certainty, but I doubt they place as much emphasis on the Holocaust in education as is placed in US and Canadian history. Also, he is a jock. I can see him sleeping through history class and still getting a passing grade.

And like I said before, unless there are some ties that associate him with Nazism then it would appear to be incidental. Banning the guy for life is a major overreaction.

**mrveggieman** · 03-19-2013, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by duane1969

I can see it. He grew up in Greece. I can't say this with certainty, but I doubt they place as much emphasis on the Holocaust in education as is placed in US and Canadian history. Also, he is a jock. I can see him sleeping through history class and still getting a passing grade.

And like I said before, unless there are some ties that associate him with Nazism then it would appear to be incidental. Banning the guy for life is a major overreaction.

Yeah what he did was ignorant, careless and insensitive but banning him for life is probably a little too much.

**habsheaven** · 03-19-2013, 12:14 PM

Considering the fact that Hitler invaded Greece in WWII after Italy failed to accomplish the feat, I would be inclined to guess that it is talked about in more than one semester of school. Even the "jocks" would have had to know who and what Hitler was. That all said, without any other connections to Nazi idealogy, I don't think a lifetime ban is appropriate either.

**Wickabee** · 03-19-2013, 12:32 PM

Here's my thinking.
If his fist was closed, would it have been a problem?
By making a fuss about this, whether he's a fascist or not, aren't we just confirming that holding your arm out with your palm faced down is an action with actual power?
If this is wrong, should we be allowing any salutes in sports? (Example: Jaromir Jagr)

The way I see it, if he had his hand closed there's no problem. Making a deal about this does continue to give a simple arm motion incredible power it doesn't deserve.