UK police working to identify England fans performing Nazi salutes at World Cup
Authorities are trying to find the supporters who were caught on film chanting obscene songs about Jews going to Auschwitz and performing Hitler salutes
Detectives in the UK are working to identify two men caught on video giving Nazi salutes in a Russian bar during the World Cup.
The Football Association has condemned the actions in the video, which surfaced online and reportedly shows England fans singing an anti-Semitic song in a bar in Volgograd.
The southern Russian city, which was the venue of England’s 2-1 win over Tunisia on Monday, was formerly known as Stalingrad – the site of one of the bloodiest battles in history when Soviet soldiers repelled Hitler’s army during the Second World War.
Footage appears to show at least two men taunting Premier League club Tottenham over their Jewish heritage while performing Nazi salutes.
Detective Superintendent Caroline Marsh, UK police investigations lead for the World Cup, said: “The abhorrent behaviour seen in this video is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.
“Our investigation team in the UK is already making swift inquiries to identify those involved and will seek to take all appropriate action against them.”
On Wednesday, a spokesman for the FA said: “We strongly condemn the actions of the people in this video.
“We are working with the relevant authorities, including the UK police investigations team, who are making inquiries to identify the individuals involved and take appropriate action.
“The disgraceful conduct of the individuals in this video does not represent the values of the majority of English football fans supporting the team in Russia.”
Football’s equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out, echoed the views of the FA, with its chairman Lord Ouseley, saying: “We support the comments made by Fare Network and The Football Association and we hope this is an isolated incident. We condemn all such conduct and expect the perpetrators to be punished.”
Simon Johnson, CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council, and former director of corporate affairs at the FA condemned the incident. He said: “It is depressing to see England fans using the Nazi salute and returning to the use of racial hatred as part of their chanting.
“I welcome the Police and The FA investigations, but I call upon the Football Supporters Federation and the Official England Supporters Groups to unequivocally condemn this action and to root out such hatred.”
Board of Deputies Vice President Amanda Bowman condemned the incident, saying: “It is right that the FA is investigating these awful incidents. This sort of behaviour embarrasses our country and lets the side down at a time when we should be focused on supporting England and enjoying the World Cup.”
Confirmed – two English soccer fans make Nazi salutes and sing anti-semitic songs near the site of the battle of Stalingrad (of all places) on Monday. The incident happened at the Galleriya Pub on Mira Street in Volgograd. Where England played Tunisia in the #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5mnffsP8tJ
— Bryan MacDonald (@27khv) June 20, 2018
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