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A group of footballers in Germany's North Rhine have been sacked and are being investigated by authorities after a photo of them performing Hitler salutes was shared online by the side's shirt sponsor.

Seven players from SC 1920 Myhl - a club with 300 members - in the German town of Wassenberg have been expelled from the team.

The teams' shirt sponsor, kebab shop owner Engin Arslan, asked the team to do something funny for their photo.

Seven footballers, between the ages of 18 and 27, elected to do the Hitler salute - a gesture used as a greeting in Nazi Germany, adopted in the 1930s by the Nazi Party to signal obedience to Adolf Hitler.

Use of the gesture is outlawed in modern Germany and considered a criminal offence in other nations, including Poland, Slovakia and Austria.

(Image: Golders)

Arslan, 38, shared the photo on social media and deleted it minutes later but it was too late as it had been spotted by shocked netizens. The club's executive board were reportedly shocked by the image and decided to kick the footballers off the team.

Chairman Marc Winkens said: "When we found out about it we immediately convened a board meeting. According to our club rules, we could only reach the conclusion to expel the members."

According to reports, Arslan will no longer be their sponsor and the side's shirts will be replaced. Winkens said: "It wouldn't be consistent to continue having him as a sponsor."

According to him, the kebab shop's banner has also already been taken down from the club's ground.

(Image: Hulton Archive)

The seven footballers have apologised for their misjudgement by posting a photo with a banner that said: "Sorry... to all the people we have hurt with our rash action."

But the club has not reversed their decision, with Winkens adding: "It was good that they have apologised like that. Nonetheless, the expulsion will not be reversed."

Former sponsor Arslan said: "It was a huge mistake on my part and for that I apologise to the individuals, to the club too. But apparently that won't do any good - I'm sorry for the boys."

On top of it all, authorities are reportedly investigating all of them for using symbols of unconstitutional organisations as the Hitler salute is banned in Germany.