German police investigate Maccabi Tel Aviv fans over Nazi salute, hate speech against Palestinians

Maccabi supporters wave yellow flags next to Israeli flags during the UEFA Europa League, League phase – Matchday 4, football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Johan-Cruijff stadium, in Amsterdam on November 7, 2024. [Robin van Lonkhuijsen / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT/ Getty Images]

German police launched an investigation on Friday into a group of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters for making a provocative Nazi salute toward officers and chanting offensive slogans against Palestinians during a Europa League match, Anadolu reports.

Stuttgart police said in a statement that officers temporarily detained six Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before Thursday evening’s match for repeatedly setting off fireworks.

The fans received stadium bans. A young fan was also under investigation for giving a provocative Nazi salute to police officers on his way to the stadium.

Police said they were investigating hateful, offensive slogans chanted by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in close coordination with the public prosecutor’s office.

Social media footage showed some fans singing songs with lyrics such as “There are no schools in Gaza because there are no children left,” along with other chants containing hateful and violent language against Palestinians.

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