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A 15-year-old Russian driver has been punished after laughing on the rostrum following what some imagine was a “Nazi salute”.
Artem Severiukhin, competing underneath an Italian licence as a result of the FIA has banned Russian rivals, struck his coronary heart twice along with his fist earlier than extending his proper arm in a gesture suspected of being a Nazi salute. He then burst out laughing on the winner’s podium at Portimao.
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The FIA, motorsport’s governing physique, introduced an investigation into the incident whereas his Swedish workforce, Ward Racing, stated they’d fired the driving force.
Now Severiukhin has been dealt a recent blow after the Italian Vehicle Membership (ACI) determined to revoke his racing licence following a rare basic assembly.
In an announcement, the ACI described his gesture as “unspeakable and unacceptable” and didn’t rule out additional penalties.
The racing physique stated in an announcement: “In the course of the extraordinary assembly of the Sports activities Council of the Vehicle Membership of Italy — convened to take pressing measures following the unspeakable and unacceptable gesture of the Russian kart driver Artem Severiukhin, on the rostrum of the European junior kart race in Portimao — remains to be in progress, we be taught that the Board itself has determined the rapid withdrawal of Severiukhin’s sports activities licence and has, on the identical time, referred him to the Sports activities Justice in order that it may possibly consider the definition of additional sanctions that fall inside its personal sphere of competence.
“Severiukhin has proven an absence of respect not just for the common values which have at all times impressed each sport, but additionally for humanity, dignity and civil coexistence.
“Severiukhin had obtained the Italian licence, as foreseen by the FIA rules, which permit younger drivers of any nationality the widest freedom of motion amongst Worldwide Federations, to be able to enable them to develop professionally in these nations — akin to Italy — which have an important custom in motorsport coaching and in beginning drivers to develop into professionals.
“Our nation, particularly, has at all times been an important on this planet so far as karting is worried, as demonstrated by the truth that in 2021 alone, 355 overseas drivers of essentially the most diversified nationalities obtained an Italian sports activities licence for this self-discipline.”
Severiukhin stated he had been misunderstood. “I gained the spherical of the European Championship and was very completely happy,” he was quoted as saying by a Russian Vehicle Federation spokesperson, in accordance with Motosport.com.
“I’m from Russia. I thanked the workforce and my kin from Russia. Somebody noticed a foul gesture in my actions, however it’s not. I simply thanked them. I’m Russian, I’m from Russia and I stand by my nation.”
The positioning additionally quoted the Russian Vehicle Federation as saying they too have been investigating “a gesture that some perceived because the ‘Roman salute’.”
They identified that the driving force was competing underneath the Italian flag and the Italian anthem was enjoying as he made the gesture.
“We additionally report that we contemplate unacceptable any, even an unintentional manifestation of fascism and Nazism in Russian motorsport and amongst Russian athletes,” stated the Russian physique.
Severiukhin later posted a video message on his Instagram account, apologising for being a “idiot”.
“I wish to apologise to everybody for what occurred yesterday,” he stated.
“Standing on the rostrum I made a gesture that many perceived as a Nazi salute. This isn’t true. I’ve by no means supported Nazism and contemplate it one of many worst crimes in opposition to humanity.”
Severiukhin added he “simply needed to make a gesture” to indicate his gratitude after the win.
“I do know that I’m a idiot and I’m able to be punished however please imagine that there was no intention in my actions, there was no assist for Nazism or Fascism. There was no need to offend spectators, followers, athletes or the workforce,” he stated.
With AFP
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