SEVEN German footballers have been kicked off their team after performing Nazi salutes for a prank in a team photo.

The players from the second team of SC 1920 Myhl - a non-league side in the town of Wassenberg, in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, were caught in a snap posted online.

2 Players from German side SC 1920 Myhl's second team perform 'Nazi salutes' in a team photo Credit: Golders

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

And seven players, between the ages of 18 and 27, responded with what appears to be a Nazi salute.

Arslan shared the photo on social media before deleting it minutes later.

The club's executive board were shocked by the image and have now booted out the players.

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Authorities are reportedly investigating all of them, with the Nazi salute banned in Germany.

Club 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."

Arslan will no longer sponsor the regional non-league side, who play in the equivalent of the seventh tier of English football. The side's shirts will be replaced.

Winkens said: "It wouldn't be consistent to continue having him as a sponsor."

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

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 have 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."