AEK player in trouble over Nazi salute

AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis raises his hand in a Nazi style salute as he celebrates scoring the winning goal in a Greek league game against Veria in Athens' Olympic Stadium, Saturday, March 16, 2013. AEK won the game 2-1. There has been no official reaction yet to the gesture, which has raised a storm of protest on the Internet. AP Photo

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 yesterday.

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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