Police treating Nazi salute by Lyon fan as a hate crime
Authorities probing the incident after a video showed a French supporter making the offensive gesture this week
Police are treating an alleged Nazi salute by a Lyon supporter after the French side’s Champions League victory at Manchester City on Wednesday as a hate crime.
Greater Manchester Police have announced they are investigating after video footage of the fan making a gesture appeared online.
The news came after Lyon, who won the match at the Etihad Stadium 2-1, said they would ban the supporter for life once identified.
A statement from GMP read: “This is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.”
Chief inspector Gareth Parkin added: “This is absolutely abhorrent behaviour and it has no place in our community, and no place in sport.
“We are committed to policing racism at football matches, and hate crimes of any sort will simply not be tolerated.
“We will be working closely with French police and both clubs to identify the person responsible.”
The incident occurred amid the celebrations that followed Lyon’s surprise win.
Lyon vowed to take firm action.
At today's football game between @ManCity and @OL a Nazi salute was made at the end of the game by a fan. This is really something that shouldn't happen in sport. pic.twitter.com/VBJPqQb7k1
— Sacha Rojtman Dratwa (@SachaDratwa) September 20, 2018
Their statement read: “Olympique Lyonnais has seen a video that circulates on social networks. The supporter in question is being identified by the services of Olympique Lyonnais.
“As soon as he is identified, he will be excluded for life at Groupama Stadium and travel for club matches.”
Lyon triumphed after first-half goals from Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fekir. Bernardo Silva’s reply was not enough for the hosts.
Last week, the Premier League champions were led out of the tunnel on Saturday by two elderly Jewish mascots.
Vera Cohen, 102, and younger sister Olga Halon, 98, who have been season ticket holders at the club since 1930, walked out with the players at The Etihad stadium as they saw their side beat Fulham 3-0.
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