- The incident occurred in the derby between Sydney FC and Western Sydney
- Football Australia has launched an investigation
- Three men have appeared in court over similar accusations
Football Australia is investigating a spectator who appeared to perform a Nazi salute during the A-League derby between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
The man, standing in the Wanderers active supporters area at Allianz Stadium, was filmed by Network Ten cameras during Saturday’s match, which Sydney FC won 2-1.
The man initially points his middle finger toward the camera before quickly turning toward the apparent salute.
New laws enacted during 2022 make the gesture illegal in New South Wales with a maximum jail sentence of 12 months.
Footage from Channel Ten’s coverage of the Sydney derby on Saturday first showed the man giving the middle finger at the rival (pictured).
He then allegedly performed a Nazi salute, which is now a crime under legislation introduced in New South Wales in 2022.
The man accused of giving the salute was sitting in the Western Sydney Wanderers supporters’ area during their loss to their arch-rivals (pictured).
The Wanderers declined to comment, while the incident was reported to New South Wales Police, who were contacted for comment.
It comes after the FA handed a Melbourne Victory supporter a five-year ban for using the gesture on the same pitch during the club’s Unite Round match.
Even before the new legislation was enacted, the FA used to take a zero-tolerance approach to these types of incidents.
Issued a lifetime ban for a person who used the gesture during the 2022 Australian Cup final between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur.
Three Sydney United fans appeared in a Sydney court last week in relation to Nazi gestures used at that match.
All three pleaded not guilty and Magistrate Joy Boulos will deliver her decision next month.
