AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been banned for life from the national team after making a Nazi salute during Saturday’s match against Veria. He says he was simply pointing at a teammate seated in the crowd.

“I am not a fascist and would not have done it if I had known what it meant,” Katidis tweeted.

The club has asked the 19-year-old to explain his actions at a board meeting next week.

While Katidis was roundly criticized by those on social media and politicians, AEK’s German coach Ewald Lienen is supporting his young player.

‘He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas,’ insisted Lienen. ‘He most likely saw such a salute on the internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means.

‘I am 100 per cent sure Giorgos did not know what he did. He was crying in the dressing room seeing the reaction.’