Czech soccer player accused of giving Nazi salute

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Published: 08/31/2007

A Czech midfielder for the Sparta Prague soccer team is being investigated for giving a Nazi salute.

Czech soccer federation spokesman Vit Pavlusek said Pavel Horvath had engaged in conduct that was "unsportsmanlike” and said a further investigation was being conducted by the federation's disciplinary committee.

Horvath allegedly twice motioned towards Sparta fans with an outstretched right arm during a match against another Czech team, Viktoria Zizkov, on Saturday.

Horvath, however, has told the Czech press that he is not a fascist and that the salute was misunderstood. He said he was trying to calm the crowd with the hand motion.

Some Sparta fans have earned a reputation for anti-Semitism as they frequently chant “Jews, Jews” against opposing teams, particularly their biggest rival, Slavia.

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