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Leeds fans due in court over Nazi salutes

Andrea Babbington
Thursday 24 August 2000 00:00 BST
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Three more Leeds United fans are due in court in Munich today after being arrested for making Nazi salutes, making a total of 16 arrested.

Three more Leeds United fans are due in court in Munich today after being arrested for making Nazi salutes, making a total of 16 arrested.

The fans, who were in the German city to watch the Champions League qualifying match between Leeds and Munich 1860, were arrested yesterday and held in custody.

Thirteen appeared in court yesterday charged over the incident, which happened in a beer hall in a beer hall. Police move in after the men, thought to have been drunk, made Nazi salutes and shouted "Sieg Heil".

Under German law, making the Nazi salute and repeating Nazi slogans are banned.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said the 13 men appeared in court charged with using emblems or slogans of organisations banned by the German constitution.

A member of the Consular staff attended the hearing. German police will now decided either to release them or deport them.

The situation in Munich is considered tense because of its Turkish community. Police fear Leeds fans will take revenge for the deaths of two supporters killed last season before a UEFA Cup semi-final between Leeds and the Turkish club Galatasaray.

But Leeds United Supporters Club chairman Ray Fell said he believed the arrests were an isolated incident and most fans were behaving impeccably.

Leeds won last night's game 1-0 with a 46th minute goal from Alan Smith. They went through 3-1 on aggregate and will join Manchester United and Arsenal in tomorrow's group stage draw.

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