Leipzig confirm investigation into alleged Nazi salute in stadium
| Red Bull Arena | Maja Hitij, Getty Images |
RB Leipzig - in response to an inquiry lodged by the Deutschen Presse-Agentur - have confirmed that they are investigating an incident that took place at the Red Bull Arena during last Tuesday's cup fixture against FC St. Pauli. A Leipzig supporter - ostensibly in an exchange with the notoriously liberal St. Pauli ultras - allegedly made a Nazi salute. A club statement offered details on the investigation.
Such gestures remain illegal in Germany and East German clubs remain under serious public relations pressure to curtail right-wing behavior among their ultras. Leipzig prepare to welcome Eintracht Frankfurt in the next cup round in what will be a rematch of the 2022/23 DFB-Pokal Final in early December. The Saxon club has always sought to remain on top of purported racist and xenophobic behavior.
“On the day after the DFB Cup game against FC St. Pauli, RB Leipzig was informed by several fans that a visitor to the game had allegedly made the so-called Nazi salute," RB's Sunday released statement read, "A short time later, a spectator provided a photo that was said to document the incident.”
"RB Leipzig encourages all witnesses of the incident to file a complaint," the statement continued, "RB Leipzig takes a clear stand against racism, xenophobia, discrimination and anti-Semitism and firmly opposes unconstitutional and anti-human-rights behavior."