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Report: Pitch invader was neo-Nazi sympathizer

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AP Rio De Janeiro
The man who invaded the pitch during the Germany-Ghana match at the World Cup was a neo-Nazi sympathizer, according to a report that will be delivered to FIFA today.

The fans' anti-discrimination network, Fare, is preparing a report on Saturday's incident, when a shirtless fan interrupted play.

Messages written on his chest and back included "HH", signifying Heil Hitler, and "SS," referring to the Nazi paramilitary unit.

"There would be no other explanation for it," Fare executive director Piara Powar told The Associated Press on yesterday.

"The question becomes how does one control an individual fan who chooses to mark his body and jumps on the pitch to propagate his neo-Nazi views."
 

Fare's report will also refer to fans wearing blackface makeup at the match in Fortaleza with no intervention by stadium security, Powar said.

Both incidents are "currently being analyzed by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee," the governing body said in a statement. "We cannot comment any further at this stage."

"We do not respect any discriminatory messages," FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told reporters earlier Sunday. "We are always taking any evidence or submissions to our disciplinary committee."

FIFA will also consider a report by its match commissioner on the day, Eggert Magnusson of Iceland.

The shirtless man ran onto the pitch in the second half of the 2-2 draw, revealing an email address and telephone number with a Poland international code written on both his chest and back.

He was ushered away by Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari before being detained by stewards.

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First Published: Jun 23 2014 | 9:35 AM IST

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