Football Australia is investigating a spectator who appeared to perform a Nazi salute during the A-League Men’s derby clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
The man, standing in the Wanderers’ active supporter bay at Allianz Stadium, was filmed by Network Ten cameras at full-time in Saturday’s match, which was won 2-1 by Sydney FC.
Initially, the man gives the middle finger toward the camera before quickly turning into an apparent salute.
New laws brought in during 2022 makes the gesture illegal in NSW with a maximum jail term of 12 months.
The Wanderers declined to comment, while the incident has been brought to the attention of NSW Police, who have been contacted for comment.
It comes after a Melbourne Victory supporter was issued a five-year ban by FA for the use of the gesture at the same ground during the club’s Unite Round fixture.
Even prior to new legislation being brought in, FA had typically taken a zero-tolerance approach to such incidents.
It issued a lifetime ban for a person who used the gesture during the 2022 Australia Cup final between Sydney United 58 and Macarthur.
Three supporters of Sydney United fronted a Sydney court last week in relation to alleged Nazi gestures used at that game.
All three pleaded not guilty, with Magistrate Joy Boulos set to deliver her decision next month.