Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has apologised to Austrian football club Red Bull Salzburg for comparing them to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

The link was made in a preview to last night's Champions League playoff between the Red Bulls and Swedish side Malmo.

The Austrian outfit was also compared to Josef Fritzl, who was sentenced to life in prison back in 2008 after he was found guilty of raping his daughter for 24 years.

In the piece, journalist Ronnie Sandahl wrote: "Austria has not only given us Josef Fritzl and Adolf Hitler. There is also Red Bull Salzburg, the most hated football club of our time."

After widespread outrage, Red Bulls sporting director Ralf Rangnick has revealed that the newspaper's editor-in-chief has contacted the club to apologise.

"We have received a very personal email from the editor-in-chief in which he profusely apologises in the name of the paper and distances himself from these words," said Rangnick. "He has apologised to us formally and for us the matter is closed."

The Austrian club secured a 2-1 victory over Malmo in last night's clash.