Robert Bauer apologises for 7-1 dig after Olympic defeat
The Ingolstadt player lifted seven fingers to the crowd after Germany's penalty shoot-out defeat against Brazil at the Maracanã.
Germany midfielder Robert Bauer has apologised for mocking the Maracanã crowd with a seven-fingered salute after Brazil won Olympic gold in a penalty shoot-out on Saturday night.
Maracanazo
The gesture was a reminder of Germany’s historic 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in the same stadium, the five-times world champions’ worst tournament defeat.
"Heat of the moment"
“The sign I made of a seven was done in the heat of the moment,” the Ingolstadt player told German news agency DPA. “I didn’t really think about it and it just happened. At the end of the day it was a stupid thing to do and I apologise,” added the 21-year-old.
“I don’t know exactly why I did it. On Instagram and Facebook I realized and I was pressured to explain it. I didn’t do it with bad intentions. I’m really grateful to have had the chance to be here, to have lived the experience of this country. It’s the first time I’ve been in Brazil.”