Seven charged over Nazi salute prior to North Geelong Warriors game

Seven supporters of a North Geelong soccer club will come before the courts after being charged for allegedly performing a Nazi salute.

Seven people have been charged after this image emerged on Facebook earlier this month.

Police have charged seven men after an image of the North Geelong soccer fans allegedly performing the Nazi salute at a Bell Park venue came to light earlier this month.

The charges come less than 24 hours after it emerged that the North Geelong Warriors have organised an educational visit to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum for its members.

The men, six of whom are from the Geelong region, have all been charged with publicly displaying Nazi symbols or gestures, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ jail and a fine of almost $24,000

The image was taken at the Croatian Club on February 8, prior to the Warriors’ game against Geelong Soccer Club at Stead Park.

Among the accused are a pair of 20-year-olds from Newtown, a 19-year-old from East Geelong, a 23-year-old from Geelong, and two 22-year-olds from Lara and North Geelong.

A 25-year-old from Williams Landing has also been charged.

A second image of North Geelong fans appeared online, with their faces covered by Nazi insignia.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the charges come after an “extensive investigation into an image circulating online which depicted a group of men performing the prohibited gesture”.

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

The men will appear before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on May 6.

Detectives from the Geelong Crime Investigation Unit obtained CCTV footage from the Croatian Club, located on Separation St, as part of their investigation.

An image emerged on a Facebook group on February 11 appearing to show fans of the North Geelong Warriors football club performing the illegal salute.

The venue later slammed the actions, which left its president Frank Sarcevic “absolutely disgusted”.

A Football Victoria spokesman said the organisation “is working towards the conclusion of its misconduct investigation and will share further detail when findings are confirmed”.

“Football Victoria condemns anti-social behaviour and remains steadfastly committed to providing environments where all can participate safely,” he said.

Hamlyn Heights councillor Eddy Kontelj revealed at Tuesday night’s Geelong council meeting that the Warriors would take its members to the Holocaust Museum “to learn from those experiences”.

Mr Kontelj said he had received correspondence from club president Tom Pausak, who confirmed the event would occur.

The comment came after a question from former councillor Sarah Hathway, who asked how much funding City Hall had given the Warriors and what was being done to ensure “ratepayers funds do not go to sports clubs and other organisations that don’t align with the values this council claims to hold”.

Troy Edwards, executive director of corporate services, said City Hall had provided the club with $664,777 in funding since the 2019-20 financial year, largely for lighting in 2019-20 and 2023-24.

Ms Hathway’s question did not sit well with some of her former colleagues, with Anthony Aitken taking umbrage with the club being held responsible.

“I think it is very important to acknowledge that the North Geelong Warriors soccer club has strongly condemned, and made statements to that effect under the president’s own name,” he said.

Originally published as Seven charged over Nazi salute prior to North Geelong Warriors game