AEK Athens’ Giorgos Katidis pleads ignorance after giving Nazi salute in goal celebration

By The Associated Press

Posted Mar 17, 2013 09:59:15 AM.

This article is more than 5 years old.

ATHENS, Greece – 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.

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

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