Tearing a leaf from Prince Harry’s book of 100 Great Laughs, German-born Andre Gumprecht turned up at the post-season thrash for his football team, Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, in a Hitler costume, complete with “distinctive Hitler-style moustache.”

As news of Mr Gumprecht’s costume leaked out, the area suddenly decided it didn’t care much for either German. Ben Buckley, head of the Australian FA, even went so far as to call the outfit “stupid”.

Mr Gumprecht, while contrite, blamed his decision on the lack of options available to a German trying to operate in Australian cultural space, especially when it comes to fancy dress. “Being a German it’s very sad,” he said, “but when you talk about Germans in Australia or anywhere then straight away people call you a Nazi or Hitler, because that’s the only thing they know about Germany.”