Lyon vow to impose life ban on Nazi salute fan
Police are treating an alleged Nazi salute by a Lyon supporter after the French side’s Champions League victory at Manchester City on Wednesday as a hate crime.
Greater Manchester Police have announced they are investigating after video footage of the fan making a gesture appeared online.
The news came after Lyon, who won the match at the Etihad Stadium 2-1, said they would ban the supporter for life once identified.
A statement from GMP read: “This is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.”
Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin added: “This is absolutely abhorrent behaviour and it has no place in our community, and no place in sport.
“We are committed to policing racism at football matches, and hate crimes of any sort will simply not be tolerated.
“We will be working closely with French police and both clubs to identify the person responsible.”
The incident occurred amid the celebrations that followed Lyon’s surprise win.
Lyon vowed to take firm action.
Their statement read: “Olympique Lyonnais has seen a video that circulates on social networks. The supporter in question is being identified by the services of Olympique Lyonnais.
“As soon as he is identified, he will be excluded for life at Groupama Stadium and travel for club matches.”
Lyon triumphed after first-half goals by Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fekir. Bernardo Silva’s reply was not enough for the hosts.