A Greek soccer player was banned for life from playing for his country's national team after making a Nazi salute after scoring a goal. The Greek Football Federation swiftly punished the 20-year-old player for his actions, which were a serious provocation that insulted victims of Nazi cruelty. While the player will have a chance to explain himself at a disciplinary hearing, he has admitted his actions were stupid and has removed himself from his club team due to offending the team's history with his gesture.

1. www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com - The Mini Lesson
Soccer player banned True / False
for life for Nazi salute a) A Greek football player can never play the
game anywhere again. T / F
19th March, 2013 b) The player made a Nazi salute because he
failed to score a goal. T / F
A Greek football
c) Greece's football association acted very
player has been
quickly in banning the player. T / F
banned from
playing for his d) There is a possibility the player could continue
country for life playing for his club. T / F
after making a
e) The player captained the Greece national side
Nazi salute on the
at a junior level. T / F
pitch. AEK Athens
midfielder Giorgos f) The player has said he would not remove
Katidis, 20, made the gesture after scoring the himself from the team. T / F
winning goal for his team on Saturday. The Greek
g) The team's coach has criticized the player for
Football Federation (EPO) acted swiftly in
being a fascist. T / F
administering its punishment. An EPO statement
read: "The player's action to salute to spectators h) The team's coach said the player probably
in a Nazi manner is a severe provocation, insults didn't understand the salute. T / F
all the victims of Nazi cruelty and injures the
deeply pacifist and human character of the game."
The player will face a disciplinary hearing next
Synonym Match
week in which he will have the opportunity to 1. banned a. quickly
explain his side of the story. It is possible he can
2 swiftly b. suffer
continue playing at club level.
3. administering c. insult
Mr Katidis, a former captain of the Greek Under-
19 team, admitted that his actions were "stupid". 4. provocation d. peace-loving
He told reporters: "I made the mistake so I will be 5. pacifist e. probably
the one to pay for it. AEK is not responsible, so 6. former f. issuing
that is why I have decided to put myself out of the
7. pay g. supported
team because I have now realized how much I
have offended the history of the club." He added: 8. realized h. prohibited
"Unfortunately, I cannot take the clock back, but I 9. backed i. understood
want to clarify that I am not a fascist or neo-Nazi
10. likely j. ex-
or racist." AEK's German coach Ewald Lienen has
backed Katidis. He told the Reuters news agency:
"Giorgos is a young kid who does not have any Discussion – Student A
political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on
the Internet or somewhere else and did it without a) What punishment would you give the player?
knowing what it means."
b) Do soccer players get paid too much money?
Sources: SportsYahoo.com / Greek Reporter / BBC
c) What can soccer authorities do to better
educate younger players?
Writing d) Have you ever wanted to turn back time
Any public figure who makes a Nazi salute should because of a stupid action?
be banned from their position for life. Discuss.
e) What do you think of the player's coach
backing him?
Chat f) Is it possible the player didn't understand
Talk about these words from the article. what the salute meant?
banned / gesture / punishment / spectators / g) If he genuinely didn't know what it meant,
provocation / cruelty / pacifist / character / should he be punished?
captain / stupid / responsible / history / clarify /
h) What questions would you like to ask the
offended / fascist / political ideas
head of Greek football?
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2. www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com - The Mini Lesson
Phrase Match
1. banned from playing for his country a. captain
2 acted swiftly in administering b. provocation
3. a severe c. of the story
4. The player will face a d. that I am not a fascist
5. explain his side e. its punishment
6. a former f. on the Internet
7. I will be the one g. clock back
8. I cannot take the h. for life
9. I want to clarify i. to pay for it
10. He most likely saw such a salute j. disciplinary hearing
Discussion – Student B Speaking – Punishment 1
a) What springs to mind when you hear the word How bad are these things? What is the appropriate
‘fascist’? punishment? Complete this table with your partner(s).
Change partners often and share what you wrote.
b) What do you think of the player's actions?
How bad and Punishment?
c) What should the Greek football authorities do? why?
d) Should the player face criminal proceedings? Fascist salutes
e) What kind of role models are soccer players?
f) How "pacifist" is the game of football?
Taking drugs
g) What parts of football (soccer) need to be
cleaned up?
h) Should he be allowed to play club football Racist abuse
again?
Spelling
Attacking a
1. made the rseuget
fan
2. acted swiftly in rdemnisgnitai its punishment
3. a resvee provocation
Refusing to
4. deeply fciiptas play
5. a ipyiindarcls hearing Diving
6. the ptrunoipyot to explain his side of the
story
7. a former ipnatac Speaking – Punishment 2
8. tidemdta that his actions were "stupid" Rank these and share your rankings with your partner.
Put the best punishment for a soccer player at the top.
9. I have oeddneff the history of the club Change partners often.
10. I am not a fcstais • a fine • rehabilitation programme
11. neo-Nazi or sictra • a playing ban • prison
• community service • alcohol ban
12. llapcioti idea
• no playing bonus • other ________________
Answers – Synonym Match Answers – True False
1. h 2. a 3. f 4. c 5. d
a F b F c T d T e T f F g F h T
6. j 7. b 8. i 9. g 10. e
Answers to Phrase Match and Spelling are in the text.
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