Wednesday, a fan who did a Hitler salute during an Australian soccer game was banned for life by the sport’s governing body, which stated that it has zero tolerance for “offensive behavior.”
The man, who has not been officially identified, was among a group of supporters captured on tape Saturday during the Australia Cup final in Sydney performing Nazi gestures and reportedly screaming far-right Croatian songs.
Football Australia announced that a spectator has been identified and given a lifetime ban from all games it regulates in the future, including national team, A-League, and Australia Cup matches.
The governing body, which earlier referred to “Hitler salutes,” stated, “The conduct in question relates to a fascist salute or comparable gesture performed during the match and captured on the host broadcast.”
Sydney United supporters ignite a flare during the Australia Cup Final between Sydney United FC and Macarthur FC on October 1, 2022 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Steven Markham/Icon Sportswire sourced from Getty Images
“Football Australia adopts a zero-tolerance attitude towards disrespectful and offensive conduct at sanctioned events, and will not tolerate conduct that has the potential to offend, insult, humiliate, denigrate, or vilify fans, players, or officials.”
It was further stated that investigations were ongoing to identify further persons.
Eight individuals were expelled from the CommBank Stadium in Sydney during the A-League match between Macarthur FC and Sydney United 58, formerly known as Sydney Croatia.
James Johnson, the chief executive officer of Football Australia, addressed an open letter to the football community expressing his “shock and alarm” about the fans’ behavior.
He stated, “Their acts have disrespected, injured, and outraged members of our football community.”
In addition, spectators were accused of yelling over an Indigenous greeting ceremony that acknowledged the connection of Indigenous people to the land.