Wayne Hennessey denies making Nazi salute as Kick It Out suggest FA should investigate incident

Wayne Hennessey
Wayne Hennessey appeared to be making the gesture in a picture posted by a Crystal Palace team-mate Credit: reuters

The anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out has suggested the Football Association should investigate if Crystal Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey made a Nazi salute during a meal out with his team-mates.

The Wales international was pictured with his right arm pointed out above him in a photo posted on Instagram by Palace midfielder Max Meyer, who is German.

However, Hennessey vehemently denied making the offensive gesture, saying  he "waved and shouted at the person taking the picture to get on with it" and "put my hand over my mouth to make the sound carry".

Kick It Out told Telegraph Sport that it had received independent reports about the image which had been passed on to the FA.

“We are aware of an image circulating in which Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey makes what appears to be a Nazi salute, which the player has denied," a statement said.

“We have received reports about the photo and have passed those on to The FA so they can investigate.”

Hennessey took to social media to deny any suggestion that he was making a Nazi salute in the image, taken after Palace's FA Cup third round win over Grimsby Town.

The 31-year-old wrote: “It's 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.” 

Meyer posted the picture on an Instagram story, which has since expired, following the 1-0 win over League Two side Grimsby. Hennessey has made 81 appearances for Wales and helped his country to the Euro 2016 semi-final.

License this content