( CNN ) -- Adopting a fascist salute to celebrate a goal in any country would border on the provocative -- but to do it in a land where the scars of Germany 's wartime occupation still run deep would appear to be professional suicide . So it has proved for AEK Athens ' Giorgos Katidis , whose actions after scoring the winning goal against Veria on Saturday so enraged Greek football officials that the former Under-19 captain has been barred from playing for the senior national team for life . `` The action by the player to salute spectators with a Nazi salute defies common sense , profoundly shows disrespect to all the victims of Nazi atrocities and injures the peaceful and deeply human character of football , '' said the Greek football federation . `` The federation condemns unequivocally and categorically such actions . '' Katidis , who turned 20 last month and led Greece to the final of last year 's European Under-19 Championships in Estonia , has denied having any knowledge of the significance of his actions . `` I 'm not a racist -- no way , '' he wrote on his Twitter site . `` I hate fascism . I would n't have done it if I knew it meant something like that . I know the consequences . '' As this weekend 's international break approaches , not to mention the many more that will follow , the tattooed youngster may be well advised to study his history . For despite the seven decades that have passed , many Greeks still shudder when they recollect the 300,000 citizens who died as the Nazis controlled mainland Greece between 1941 and 1944 . This would have been the very first good reason for the midfielder to avoid celebrating his goal in the Super League in the style he did -- but unfortunately for him , there were several more . The recent financial crisis affecting his country has heralded a rise in popularity for the neo-fascist party Golden Dawn , one of Europe 's most controversial -- and right-wing -- parties . Having taken just 0.2 % in Greece 's 2009 elections , the far right group 's campaign for the 2012 elections involved an aggressive anti-immigration stance , feeding upon the chronic financial anxiety of those suffering from both unemployment and austerity measures . The campaigning stance was so successful it resulted in a significant 7 % of the vote -- and 18 seats in parliament . While many Greeks are ashamed of Golden Dawn 's burgeoning popularity -- and would never want to be associated with them in any way -- Katidis ' actions came while playing for a club founded by immigrants in the 1920s . Despite the furore , the midfielder has received support from his coach Ewald Lienan , who -- as a German -- could have been forgiven for criticizing the footballer 's actions . `` He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas . He most likely saw such a salute on the internet , or somewhere else , and did it without knowing what it means , '' Lienan said . `` I am 100 % sure that Giorgos did not know what he did . He was crying in the dressing room seeing how the media reacted . He is young and needs protection . '' Katsidis ' late goal was of great significance to both AEK and the club 's fans , given that the 2-1 win enabled one of Greek football 's traditional giants -- currently in a crisis -- to pull four points clear of the relegation zone . Yet his celebration in front of the supporters in the Olympic Stadium only served to alienate a section who had initially reveled in his onfield display . `` There is no way we can forgive fascist salutes , '' said influential supporters ' group -- Original 21 -- in a statement directed at Katidis . `` You are not welcome among us -- you are wanted ! We are not convinced by your tears or by your excuses . Fascists and Nazis do not belong in AEK . '' Meanwhile , the Greek federation has told CNN that the ban on Katidis only applies to internationals and has no bearing on his standing within his club . AEK , champions on 11 occasions but whose stock has mirrored the Greek economy 's by plummeting in recent years , have asked the player to explain his actions on Wednesday -- the same day Super League officials are set to discuss the case . In 2005 , Lazio striker Paolo di Canio was handed a one-match ban by Italian football authorities after making a fascist salute towards his club 's fans during a game against Juventus . Greek media has reported that Katidis has been given time off by the club in order to visit his wife in Italy since the incident , with many reporting that his AEK future is in doubt . Just seven months into a four-year contract signed last August , the fortunes of a youngster who rose to prominence after impressing at Aris Salonika have been derailed for the most unlikely of reasons .
Giorgos Katidis barred for life from senior Greek national team after fascist salute . 20-year-old says he did not know the meaning of his actions . Leading AEK fans group calls for his exclusion from the club .