Antonio Rudiger has landed himself in hot water for making a gesture that allegedly shows support for Islamic State terror group ISIS.
Rudiger shared a picture of himself making the gesture on his Instagram page with the caption: "Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims around the world. May the almighty accept our fasting and prayers."
Julian Reichelt, former director of German outlet Bild director, alleged that the gesture is "an Islamist salute from ISIS."
Rudiger's gesture, known simply as the 'Tawhid finger' is associated with Islamist prayer, although it has been used recently by Islamic terror groups for propaganda after indiscriminate executions.
Extremism experts have continued to debate whether there was any meaning hidden behind the gesture besides its normal use by Islamists during prayer.
However, Germany have decided to back Rudiger with their interior minister saying: "The gesture is to be understood as a profession of faith and thus to be classified as unproblematic with regard to public safety. This is true regardless of the fact that Islamist groups are co-opting this symbol and misusing it for their own purposes."
Meanwhile, Rudiger has refused to delete the controversial picture from his page despite receiving serious abuse from German fans online.
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