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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Ex-Celtic flop Klimala sees transfer move collapse over alleged Nazi salute

Former Celtic flop Patryk Klimala's move to Standard Liege has collapsed after the Belgian club's fans protested against his arrival due to a controversial gesture.

Polish striker Klimala was at Celtic for 16 months after he cost them £3.5 million from Jagiellonia Bialystok four years ago and scored just three goals in 27 appearances before moving to the MLS with New York Red Bulls and then on to Israeli football with Hapoel Be'er Sheva before returning to his homeland at Slask Wroclaw.

However, his return home was a disaster and he was set to move on again to Belgium on a free.

Klimala was forced to issue an apology after he was accused of making a Nazi salute last year after he scored a goal in Israel against Hapoel Jerusalem and raised one hand in celebration to his club's fans behind the goal.

But he was then the subject of a storm of criticism online from Israeli fans who understood his gesture to be a Nazi salute and attacked the 24-year-old.


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It forced Klimala to make a statement as he tried to explain his celebrations.

Klimala said: "My gesture during the goal celebration was completely misunderstood.

"As a Pole who respects the history of both countries, I would never even think of doing the Nazi salute.

"While living in Poland, I visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and I am fully aware of the importance of the history of Jewish heritage. Sorry if anyone took it the wrong way."

But that wasn't enough for Standard fans who demanded their club rip up the deal after it was announced he was negotiating with them.

And the move is now officially off.

Slask Wroclaw president Patryk Załeczny said: "The transfer will now not take place.

"A change of environment will be good for Patryk, although of course, we do not take away from the fact that he is a really good player."

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