Are sporting events being used as tools for neo-Nazi propaganda purposes? In the past year, anti-Semitic outbursts have been on the rise in Europe. The behavior being carried out by fans and athletes is repulsive, insulting, and absolutely horrific. However, their actions do not go unnoticed. Many are being punished and banned from participation in sporting events. Is it unfair for these athletes to be banned from sports?
In March of 2013, Giorgos Katidis received a lifetime ban from any Greek national team for giving a Nazi salute after scoring the winning goal for AEK. Of course, his actions provoked negative backlash for which Katidis apologized. Katidis claimed ignorance behind the meaning of the salute and said, “Unfortunately I cannot take the clock back but I want to clarify that 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” (Associated Press). He also decided to leave the team as self-punishment for his actions. The coach from AEK, Ewald Lienen, fully supports Katidis’ decision and stated, “He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas” (Associated Press).
The sport of ‘free fighting’ or MMA has attracted many extremist neo-Nazis in Germany. The neo-Nazis are attracted to this sport because of the violence and use it as a recruiting mechanism. “Blood and honor” is the theme that most of the fighters in this sport represent. Apparently, “the free-fighting community also offers a relatively safe place for neo-Nazis to express themselves, largely unhampered by the critical press and radical leftist opponents” (Deggerich and Popp, Spiegel Online). Neo-Nazis seek individuals at the events in order to send them to combat training camps and then organize illegal fights. The physical and violent action “represents more than just an athletic contest between young men. It is the expression of an inner urge, a perception that sets us apart from other people” (Deggerich and Popp, Spiegel Online). One of the most well-known free fighters, Benjamin “The Hooligan” Brinsa was cut by the UFC in September 2013 for having connections to the neo-Nazi group. Of course, Brinsa has denied the allegations and claims to have never been a part of the neo-Nazi movement.
In December 2013, a Croatian soccer player, Josip Simunic, was suspended from the game. As a consequence, he will be unable to participate in the World Cup Finals in Brazil. After winning the playoff game against Iceland, Simunic led a chant which was Croatia’s national slogan during Nazi rule (Fisher, Washington Post). Simunic claims, “I did nothing wrong. I’m supporting my Croatia, my homeland… If someone has something against it, that’s their problem” (ESPN). In the past, the same chant and the Nazi salute has been used by Croatian fans in which the Croatian football federation was fined on several occasions.
Another incident involving a French soccer player took place in late December 2013. Nicolas Anelka who plays for West Bromwich Albion celebrated a goal with the Nazi-like salute known as ‘la quenelle’ (The Associated Press). ‘La quenelle’ is a Nazi salute in reverse and conotes the same meaning. The West Brom coach, Keith Downing, explained that the salute was dedicated to a French comedian who uses it in an anti-Semitic act (The Associated Press). The English Football Association is charging Anelka with making a racially or religiously abusive gesture. If found guilty, he will face a minimum charge of a five-match suspension.
Sports and propaganda is a lethal combination. Far-right neo-Nazi extremist movements and sports both tend to attract young men (Fisher, Washington Post). All of these incidents are severe warning signs for the rise of neo-Nazism, especially in soccer.
“But the result has been a string of incidents of far-right ultra-nationalism, or outright Nazism, in Eastern European soccer culture. A Greek soccer player was suspended for giving a Nazi salute; Polish fans have chanted “Jews to the gas” or “death to hooknoses” at opposing teams; Ukrainian fans have waved Nazi flags and made monkey sounds at black players. Hungarian fans have waved banners in support of László Csatáry, a Hungarian who allegedly helped capture and kill thousands of Jews under Nazi rule” (Fisher, Washington Post)
Unfortunately, the recent trends are a bit alarming. Sporting events and athletes should be promoting a positive environment. Many athletes are role models for the youth. The youth tend to mimic how the athletes’ behavior during the sporting events. Whether it’s dancing in the end-zone, chanting, or specific salutes, athletes need to watch their conduct on the field. Sporting events are considered family-friendly and they need to remain that way.