UEFA is investigating alleged Nazi salutes directed at fans of the Israeli soccer team Hapoel Tel Aviv by supporters of Polish club GKS Katowice after a UEFA Conference League match. The incident occurred following the second leg of their tie on Wednesday, which saw Hapoel Tel Aviv eliminate GKS Katowice.
Video footage from the match in Katowice, Poland, appears to show GKS Katowice fans making the salute towards the visiting supporters. The UEFA Conference League is a European club football competition organized by UEFA for eligible teams from European national associations.
Hapoel Tel Aviv advanced to the next round based on aggregate scores, having won their initial match on Aug. 6 with a 2-0 scoreline. Despite GKS Katowice winning the second leg 2-1 on Wednesday, Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a 3-2 aggregate victory. The Israeli team is scheduled to play against Italian club Atalanta on Aug. 20.
Reports also indicated that one Hapoel Tel Aviv fan mimicked a sexual act and another grabbed his crotch in a gesture towards the GKS Katowice fans. The third-tier European competition continues with 36 teams vying for advancement towards qualification for the UEFA Europa League.