DALLAS (AP) — The home arena of the Dallas Stars has launched an investigation into a video apparently showing four fans celebrating a goal with a Nazi salute.
This is what a spokesperson for the American Airlines Center said WFAA TV in Dallas that the arena has “zero tolerance for acts of hatred and/or discrimination.”
“We strongly condemn the actions that appear to be depicted in the video footage and are conducting an internal investigation,” the spokesperson said. “All fans and visitors are expected to adhere to the AAC and, where applicable, the NBA or NHL codes of conduct when attending events.”
A Stars fan, Courtney Ripley, told the television station that she shot a 12-second video during a game against Toronto in late December. It shows four fans reacting to a goal by appearing to raise and extend their right arm with an extended right hand pointing downward. The video received a lot of attention on various social media platforms this week.
A Stars spokesperson told ESPN on Thursday that the team “fully aligns with the arena’s statement and is working with them to find out exactly what happened.”
Fan codes of conduct are prominent in the NHL. Each team has a scripted segment that is shared on their video boards, through their public address system, or both, to tell fans about their respective codes of conduct.
The NHL also has a fan code of conduct that begins with the words: “The best hockey experiences happen in environments that are inclusive, safe and respectful.”
The NHL said possible penalties for violating the code of conduct include expulsion, suspension or a lifetime ban from future events.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
