‘Pure evil’: Vile image surfaces of soccer fans allegedly performing Nazi salute

A soccer club has condemned and distanced itself from a group of soccer fans after a photo allegedly showing them performing a Nazi salute surfaced online.

A shocking image of football fans allegedly performing a Nazi salute while attending a soccer game in Geelong has surfaced.

The picture, which was shared on Facebook, showed a group of fans of the North Geelong Warriors Football Club allegedly performing a Nazi salute at a venue in Bell Park, Geelong.

The men were dressed in all black and had their faces hidden using digital stickers featuring the Croatian flag.

“North Geelong Warriors fans pre-game away to Geelong on Saturday night,” the post read.

A group of men appeared to allegedly perform a Nazi salute in a Geelong venue. Picture: Facebook.

The North Geelong Warriors club quickly condemned the image, issuing a statement to the official social media page.

“North Geelong Warriors FC strongly condemns any behaviour that is disruptive, offensive, antagonistic or goes against the spirit of the game,” the statement read.

“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.

“We are working closely with Football Victoria to address this matter and will take decisive action against anyone who brings NGWFC 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.”

A spokesman for the Croatian Club Geelong said they “(did) not condone or support this type of behaviour”.

“We are absolutely disgusted in this behaviour and extremely disappointed that an incident like this has occurred on our establishment,” the spokesman told NewsWire.

“Had we been aware of this incident at the time, all individuals would have been removed from the premises.

“Victoria Police is investigating and our club is fully co-operating.”

Dr Abramovich has labelled the image “pure evil”. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

A spokesman for Victoria Police told NewsWire they had been notified about the social media post but had not received any official complaints in relation to the matter and were unable to determine the exact time and location of the incident.

“Police are aware of an image circulating online depicting a number of men performing what appears to be a Nazi salute,” the spokesman said.

“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”

In October 2023, the Victorian government made the act of displaying or performing symbols and gestures used by the Nazi Party, including the Nazi salute, in public illegal.

The maximum penalty is a $23,000 fine and 12 months imprisonment.

Dr Abramovich has urged Victoria Police to investigate the incident. Picture: NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich condemned the image and welcomed the football club’s rejection of “this poison”.

“There are moments that force us to ask: Who are we? What do we stand for? This is one of them,” he told NewsWire.

“A group of men raised their arms in tribute to a regime that butchered millions – fully aware of the hate they were celebrating.

“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.”

Dr Abramovich urged Victoria Police to “act now” on the incident.

“The Nazi salute is banned in Victoria for a reason – it’s an act of incitement, a symbol of genocide,” Dr Abramovich told NewsWire.

“These men broke the law, and Victoria Police must act.

“Every moment without accountability is an open door for this poison to spread.

“If we let this slide, we’re telling extremists they have nothing to fear.

“And if we do that, they’ll be back – bolder, louder, and more dangerous.”

NewsWire has contacted Football Victoria for comment.