© unknownA picture which shows two British soldiers making Nazi salutes in front of British and loyalist flags has caused a fresh controversy following its publication by a tabloid newspaper in England.
The men dressed in camouflage fatigues have their right arms raised in a traditional fascist manner. They are standing in front of a British Union Jack featuring the words "Invicta Loyal", the name of an English Rangers supporters' club, and the so-called 'Northern Ireland flag'.
The photograph was defended in the press with suggestions the soldiers may be making a 'Red Hand of Ulster salute'. Displays of fascism by Rangers fans have previous been explained away in such terms, but the gesture is unknown in Ireland.
The mythical 'Red Hand of Ulster salute' is understood to be have been invented for damage limitation purposes only.
The identities of the soldiers and their regiments have not been made public. It is believed the photograph was taken in Afghanistan.
The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the matter had been 'dealt with' when the photograph first appeared on the internet three years ago. However, they refused to say what disciplinary action, if any, was taken against the men.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said the image was "abhorrent and so is the thinking behind it".
Even DUP hardliner Sammy Wilson said the gesture "cannot be explained away as some type of Red Hand of Ulster salute."
Alban Maginness of the nationalist SDLP said it was very disturbing that serving [British] soldiers would use an overtly Nazi salute.
"That's very disturbing given that Nazism and fascism were evils that the British army were supposed to have defeated," he said.
"What is perhaps more disturbing is the offhand way in which the British army seem to have dealt with this particular incident.
"One would have expected a more robust action from the British Army having identified the troops from the photograph."
Reader Comments
much thought went into *why* they're doing it. I'd say they just naturally identify with the basest and most primitive forces acting through humanity. The supporters of this Scottish football club mentioned above, Glasgow Rangers, also wave the old Apartheid South African flag and the Israeli flag. As Authoritarian Followers of the extreme kind, fascism, totalitarianism and hatred just come naturally to them.
Maybe these people seek to create a social identity, a sense of belonging and the emotions manufactured during a sport event apparently help to catalyze their toghetherness. But although it is not too difficult to find fault with some of these extreme groups, one could also turn it around and look at the role sports play in distracting people from paying attention to issues around them that may be more important. Would the illusion that national sovereingty stil exist be strong if so many of us had not been programmed since childhoold to let our selfworth be partially based on the achievement of a national sports team. I am not saying it is true for all, but for some people if "their" nationaly team looses they feel they have lost some value too.