Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey charged over alleged Nazi salute

Charged | Wayne Hennessey has been charged by the FA following this gesture
Jack Rosser @JackRosser_23 January 2019

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been charged with a breach of FA rules regarding bringing the game into disrepute and an 'aggravated breach' after a picture of him allegedly making a Nazi salute.

The picture, posted on the Instagram page of German teammate Max Meyer, showed Hennessey with his right hand in the air and his left over his mouth during a team meal. The Welshman denies he was making a Nazi gesture.

The 31-year-old took to social media following the incident, saying: “I had a meal with my team mates and we had a group photograph. I waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it and at the same time put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry.

“It has been brought to my attention that frozen in a moment by the camera this looks like I am making a completely inappropriate type of salute. I can assure everyone I would never ever do that and any resemblance to that kind of gesture is absolutely coincidental. Love and peace, Wayne.”

The FA, though, have given the Palace keeper until the end of the month to respond to their charge, alleging that it breaches their rules surrounding abusive gestures, bringing the game into disrepute and that it constitutes 'aggravated breach' due to references to race, ethnic origin or religious beliefs.

An FA spokesperson said: "Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.

"It is alleged that a gesture he made, which was captured by a photograph and posted on social media, breached Rule E3[1] as it was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

"It is further alleged that this constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in Rule E3[2], as it included reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion and/or belief.

"Hennessey has until 31 January 2019 to respond to the charge."

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