North Geelong Warriors Football Club distances itself from alleged Nazi salute
A North Geelong soccer club has been left shocked after an image surfaced of what appears to be its fans performing an illegal act.
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A shocking image of Geelong soccer fans performing the Nazi salute at a Bell Park venue have surfaced online, with the club slamming their actions.
The picture emerged Tuesday evening on Facebook, allegedly showing fans of the North Geelong Warriors Football Club performing the salute at what appears to be a venue on Separation St in Bell Park.
A group of men, all wearing black, are seen posing in the smoking area at the venue.
Most of the men pictured are performing the illegal gesture, while all have had their faces covered digitally with a logo featuring the Croatian flag.
North Geelong Warriors, which the group is believed to support, promptly issued a statement via social media condemning the behaviour.
“The club has no direct affiliation with individuals or groups who engage in such conduct, and we do not support any narratives that promote behaviour contrary to our values,” the statement said.
“We are working closely with Football Victoria to address this matter and will take decisive action against anyone who brings (the club) and the game of football into disrepute.
“To be clear — this type of behaviour is not welcome at Elcho Park or any other football venue.”
Club president Tom Pausak further distanced the club from the actions.
“I want to be clear that these people are not our supporters,” he said.
“It’s not who we are, or what we stand for.
“It will be dealt with by Victoria Police.”
The image was posted on the Facebook page of Suburban Ultras Australia, which said the salutes occurred prior to the club’s game against Geelong Soccer Club on Saturday night.
Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich welcomed the club’s swift rejection of “this filth”.
“Victoria Police must act now,” he said.
“This wasn’t a drunken prank or a careless mistake, they stood together, knowing exactly what they were doing.
“It was a deliberate salute to pure evil.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said authorities were aware of the image.
“No official complaints have been received in relation to the matter and as such we are uncertain when and where the incident has occurred,” he said.
Football Victoria have been contacted for comment.
The Victorian government introduced laws in 2023 that made it an offence to perform the Nazi salute, with the maximum penalty 12 months imprisonment and a $23,000 fine.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”
On Wednesday, Dr Abramovich called for the Geelong Football Club and the Australian Football League to review Sam Newman’s club legend and Hall of Fame status following his controversial neo-Nazi podcast guests, declaring the “stakes couldn’t be higher”.
Newman, 79, invited disgraced National Socialist Network leaders Blair Cottrell and Thomas Sewell on his, You Cannot Be Serious Podcast, last week.
The dual Geelong best and fairest and media identity challenged both of their appalling beliefs but drew condemnation for giving the white supremacists a public platform.
Jacob Hersant, an associate of Sewell, was in November sentenced to one month jail for performing the salute soon after it became a criminal offence.
He has since been released on bail pending an appeal.
Anyone with information on the matter is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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