Ezgjan Alioski denies celebrating Leeds United goal with Nazi salute and reveals reason for controversial gesture

Alioski claimed it was to recognise the team manager’s moustache after it became a good-luck charm following their strong run of form last month

Ezgjan Alioski denies making a Nazi salute after scoring in Leeds's victory over Huddersfield (Getty)

Leeds United winger Ezgjan Alioski has rejected accusations that he celebrated his goal in the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town with a Nazi salute.

The 27-year-old scored the opening goal at the John Smith’s Stadium with a second-half effort to help send Leeds to the top of the Championship table.

But the North Macedonia international sparked controversy when he celebrated by lifting one hand to his nose and pointing with his other hand towards the crowd, which sparked fury from those watching who believed it was an attempt to display the sickening gesture.

The claims were put to Alioski after the match, which he immediately cleared up with an explanation that he was making a signal towards the club’s team manager, who has grown a moustache during ‘Movember’ and has kept it as a lucky charm ever since.

"I need to laugh because what people think, it was for the team manager because he grew his moustache for Movember and he isn't shaving it until we lose,” Alioski said.

"It's lucky and after I scored it was a celebration for him, it was not about other things, it was about his moustache."

It is not the first time that Alioski’s celebrations have caught attentions during his time at Leeds.

In April this year, he reacted angrily to being kissed on the cheek by teammate Pontus Jansson during the win over Sheffield Wednesday. Following the full-time whistle, Jansson celebrated with the rest of the team that included him kissing Alioski, causing him to switch and aggressively shove Jansson and shout in his direction before walking off with a less than impressed look on his face.