By Mark Baber
March 20 – Giorgos Katidis the 20-year old AEK player who made a Nazi salute to fans after scoring on Saturday has now been suspended by his club until the end of the season.
AEK issued a statement saying: “The board has decided to suspend Katidis until the end of the 2012-13 season, taking into consideration the horrific image his behaviour provoked and has imposed the highest possible fine according to internal regulations.
“Whether he continues or not at the club will be decided in the summer after giving him the chance to prove that his behaviour was the result of immaturity on the one hand and on the other after assessing whether his re-incorporation into the club will be possible without creating shockwaves to AEK.”
AEK was formed by refugees from ethnic violence and the supporters have a long and proud tradition of anti-fascism. Original 21, one of the main fan groups issued a statement lambasting the player for “Grinding the bones of our ancestors, our own history … of refugees and of our anti-fascist values.”
Katidis’ early excuses included not understanding the meaning of a Nazi salute and having picked the gesture up from immigrant-bashing, neo-fascist political party ‘Golden Dawn’. Neither explanation went down well with supporters.
On Monday the player had the sense to describe his own behaviour as “totally unacceptable” and request his own suspension from the team as he issued a statement saying, “I cannot turn the clock back but I want to clarify 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.
“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 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. The fact I did not know what I was doing is no excuse.”
On the Original 21 site the message was clear, “Thank God you weren’t wearing the AEK shirt” and “Your irresponsibility will not be forgiven.”
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