Giorgos Katidis [PHOTO & VIDEO]: Greek Soccer Star Nazi Salute, AEK Athens Player Banned For Life from Greece National Team

20-year-old AEK Athens midfielder, Giorgos Katidis, celebrated a game-winning goal this Saturday against Veria in a Super League match by stripping his shirt off and performing a stiff-armed Nazi salute towards the crowd. The young star has since apologized for the action, saying that he did not know what the gesture meant in any way. His coach, Ewald Lienen, says that Katidis "most likely saw such a salute on the Internet or somewhere else," and that he has have "any political ideas." Katidis understands that his career is in jeopardy considering he has been "banned for life" from the Greek national team. His team and the league are reportedly considering separate sanctions.

Katidis released the following statement:

"I would like to confess that I am totally unacceptable and I feel terrible for those I upset with the stupidity of my act. I made the mistake so I will be the one to pay for it, AEK is not responsible. So that is why I have decided to put myself out of the team because I have now realized how much I have offended the history of the club...Also, I understand fully the reasons for the decision made by the Greek Football Federation to which I owe a huge apology as it has helped me to get where I am in the professional game [...] Unfortunately I cannot take the clock back but I want to clarify that I am not a fascist or neo-Nazi or racist. I have a stepbrother from Puerto Rico and all my family are from the Black Sea and have experienced racism in the worst ways. I sincerely apologize to my teammates and everyone involved with the club that I have insulted in not knowing exactly what I had done in my celebration. Nonetheless, the fact that I did not know what I was doing is no excuse."

Check out the footage of the controversial celebration right here: