During Tuesday evening’s EuroLeague basketball fixture between Zalgiris Kaunas and Olympiacos Piraeus at Zalgiris Arena, an unauthorized swastika symbol appeared on a fan banner within the organized supporters’ section. The incident instantly drew swift condemnation from club officials, a formal police report, and a pledge of disciplinary action from the Green White Boys fan collective.
Club Details Vetting Breakdown and Police Escalation
The Zalgiris basketball club addressed the controversy publicly following the second-round match. According to official club statements, the choreography was designed to honor a dedicated, long-time supporter who recently underwent life-saving medical treatment during a football match.
Yet, management discovered a prohibited symbol tucked into the corner of the banner, disconnected from the approved design. Zalgiris Kaunas stated that it strictly condemns antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and all other forms of hatred, alongside Nazi, Soviet, and other totalitarian symbols.
Because the club mandates prior approval for all visual graphics—and the submitted mockup lacked the forbidden imagery—executives concluded that the symbol was illicitly added after the vetting process concluded.
Stricter Inspections Follow Severe Rule Violation
Treating the incident as a severe violation, Zalgiris immediately turned to law enforcement authorities to establish all circumstances surrounding the display and assist in penalizing those responsible.
While the police investigation proceeds, the club has suspended the use of organized supporters’ banners during matches. Management also announced tighter inspection procedures developed in coordination with fan group representatives.
Green White Boys Accept Responsibility and Vow Internal Sanctions
Shortly after the club’s announcement, the Green White Boys (GWB) fan group published a social media response acknowledging the banner and condemning the inclusion of the unauthorized symbol.
The supporters’ collective reaffirmed that the core intent of the display was strictly to honor the recovering fan and thank the medical staff.
The fan group stated that the prohibited symbol did not reflect GWB, its values, or its stance. Accepting full responsibility for the incident, the organization pledged to identify and penalize the responsible individuals and implement internal measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.