FIFA, the international governing body of football, has fined the German football federation 32,000 Swiss francs (£25,000) after German fans chanted Nazi slogans at a World Cup qualifying game in the Czech Republic.
Around 200 fans chanted “Sieg Heil” on Sept. 1 during the Germans’ 2-1 victory over the host Czech Republic. The fans also whistled and chanted during a moment of silence for two Czech officials who died.
Significantly, the game took place on the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland, the action that started World War II in 1939.
Speaking at a press conference after the game, German coach Joachim Loew said the fans “bring shame on our country.”
“We don’t want them, we’re not their national team, and they’re not our fans. Given our history, it’s very important for us to represent our country in a dignified fashion and its values of tolerance, respect and openness to the world. These troublemakers demean this image,” Loew said.
The following video shows German fans chanting “Sieg Heil”.
FIFA also fined the Czech federation £5,000 Swiss francs (£3,900) for fan disturbance. A number of other countries have also been fined for various offenses as FIFA looks to clamp down on fan misbehaviour.
Breitbart Jerusalem reports:
Argentina was ordered to pay 65,000 Swiss francs ($67,000), Panama 50,000 Swiss francs ($51,500), and Hungary 20,000 Swiss francs ($20,600). Other fines were for Chile (35,000 Swiss francs; $36,000); Ecuador (20,000 Swiss francs; $20,600), Brazil (10,000 Swiss francs; $10,300) and Mexico (10,000 Swiss francs; $10,300).
Uruguay’s federation was fined 25,000 Swiss francs ($25,750) for “insulting chants” by fans at a home qualifier against Argentina.
FIFA imposed fines of 45,000 Swiss francs ($46,400) on the soccer bodies of Iran and Ukraine.
Iran was sanctioned for incidents at a home game against Syria, including a “pre-match ceremony with religious chants” and improper conduct by fans.
Ukrainian fans were guilty of discrimination with chants and banners at a home game against Turkey.
European federations fined for discriminatory behavior by fans included Romania and Montenegro (each 25,000 Swiss francs; $25,750) and Serbia (20,000 Swiss francs; $20,600). Romania is also banned for one World Cup qualifier from using the National Stadium in Bucharest.
Nigeria was fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($31,000) for fan disorder at a 4-0 home win over Cameroon.
A ball boy being sent off counted in a charge against Honduras for failure in match organization against the United States, and resulted in a 5,000 Swiss franc ($5,150) fine.
Gabon was ordered to forfeit a qualifying game against Ivory Coast as a 3-0 loss. However, Ivory Coast — which leads Group C in Africa — already won the September 2 game 3-0 in Libreville. Gabon was fined 6,000 Swiss francs ($6,200).
