Dallas Stars Ban Fan After Group Makes Apparent Nazi Salute at Game

American Airlines Center in Dallas
Credit: Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The Dallas Stars have banned a fan "indefinitely" after a group was seen appearing to do the Nazi salute
• The fan, who purchased the tickets, was among those who did the gesture in a widely circulated video
• "Any type of discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in our arena," the Stars said in a statement

The Dallas Stars have banned a fan who was part of a group that apparently gave a Nazi salute during a game earlier this season.

The fan, who purchased the tickets, was banned “indefinitely” from American Airlines Center (AAC) — the Stars' home arena near downtown Dallas — the team said in a statement on Monday, April 6.

"We identified and spoke with the individual that purchased the tickets and will be banning the individual indefinitely from the American Airlines Center," the Stars said in a statement provided to ESPN. "Additionally, we are increasing in-arena messaging regarding the Fan Code of Conduct and how our fans can report violations, along with prioritizing staff training to identify and handle situations that arise.”

The statement continued, "Any type of discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and has no place in our arena. Creating and sustaining environments that are inclusive, safe, and respectful is a non-negotiable for the Dallas Stars."

American Airlines Center in Dallas
Credit: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty

The ban comes after the AAC launched an investigation following the circulation on social media of a 12-second clip from the Dec. 21 Stars game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in which the fans can be seen making what appears to be a Nazi salute.

In the video, a group of at least six men, who were seated on the upper concourse, seem to make the Nazi salute as fans celebrate a Stars goal.

In a statement last week, the AAC said that it has “zero tolerance for any acts of hate and/or discrimination.”

A Stars spokesperson told ESPN that the team was “fully aligned” with the AAC, and that it would be working to determining what happened.

Formerly the Minnesota North Stars, the franchise relocated to Dallas for the 1993-94 NHL season. The team has played at the AAC — which it shares with the Dallas Mavericks — since its opening in 2001.

Read the original article on People