‘Nazi salute’ man could lose job
A GREENOCK man convicted of making a Nazi salute at a football match could now be set to lose his manager’s job at Cigna.
Josh Smith, was found guilty of taunting opposition fans in a racially aggravated manner while watching Rangers take on German side RB Leipzig in the Europa League semifinal.
He now faces the sack alongside a lengthy ban from every football ground in the UK.
A GREENOCK man convicted of making a Nazi salute at a football match could now be set to lose his job.
Josh Smith, an operations manager with health insurance firm Cigna, was condemned in Glasgow Sheriff Court for his actions.
The Rangers supporter was found guilty of taunting opposition fans in a racially aggravated manner while watching his team take on German side RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi final last May.
He was banned from football matches for six months and fined nearly £800, but may now be facing the sack.
Following his conviction global brand Cigna, based in Knowe Road, told the Tele that they have a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to racism.
A Cigna spokeswoman said: “While we cannot comment on individual employees, Cigna has zero tolerance to racism or discrimination of any kind.
“We are committed to building a culture where our employees treat others fairly and respectfully.”
Last year the chief executive and president of the international firm promised to take action to combat racism and discrimination wherever it is found.
Smith, 29, was caught by police officers making the gesture at German fans, acting in a ‘threatening or abusive manner which was racially aggravated’.
In court, Smith insisted the gesture he had made was not a Nazi salute.
Following his arrest he claimed to officers that it was in fact a gesture for the ‘hand and crown’, a reference to affiliation with the flag of Northern Ireland.
In court he argued that emotions were highly charged at the last four tie which Rangers went on to win, and that he engaged in was ‘banter’ with travelling German fans – and was indicating that his side were not surrendering.
On finding him guilty, Sheriff Anthony Deutsch acknowledged emotions were running high at the football match, but warned Smith that any repeat of a similar offence would end up with him being placed into custody.
Smith was fined £790 and banned from attending all UK football matches for six months.