Ladies and gentleman, it’s time for another “freedom of speech” debate. 

This past weekend, the Greek soccer, rather – football – player Giorgos Katidis ran to the corner of the field, ripped off his shirt, and gave the Nazi salute to the crowd after scoring for his team.  No, you did not read that wrong.  And yes, I said the Nazi salute.  

(You can watch the video here.)  

Giorgos Katidis quickly found himself banned (for life) from playing for the Greek national team by a unanimous decision from the executive committee of the Hellenic Football Federation.  The federation said the action was “a profound insult to all victims of Nazi atrocities” and they condemned it “unequivocally and categorically”. 

Mr. Katidis has since defended his actions, with a bit of confusion on what the big deal is.

I want to clarify that I am not a fascist or neo-Nazi or racist.  I have a step-brother from Puerto Rico, and all my family are from the Black Sea and have experienced racism in the worst ways.

To all you critics, STOP right there.  He can’t be racist- his step brother is from Puerto Rico!

Alas, he continues:

I sincerely apologize to my teammates and everyone involved with the club that I have insulted in not knowing exactly what I had done in my celebration.  Nonetheless, the fact that I did not know what I was doing is no excuse.

It’s okay everyone, the guy didn’t know what he was doing.  

Many people feel that a lifetime ban is too severe a punishment.  One of the top Youtube comments from a clip of Mr. Katidis’ celebration reads “That was it? That gave him a lifetime [ban]? We as a society are literally worse than Hitler.”  

Others feel that this is a classic example of free speech gone too far, and that his punishment is justified.

Does Mr. Katidis deserve his lifetime ban for such a controversial act, or does freedom of speech trump all? Let us know in a comment below.