Turkey's Merih Demiral Likely to Face Ban Over ‘Wolf’ Celebration (image-twitter/Merihdemiral)
A celebratory gesture shown by Turkey center-back Merih Demiral at the Euro championship after scoring two goals on Tuesday in a match against Austria has ignited diplomatic brouhaha.
The Turkish player might face a ban from their quarter-final match against the Netherlands on Saturday as the UEFA has opened an investigation into the gesture.
Disciplinary action may be taken against Demiral after celebrating his second goal with a ‘wolf’ salute. The symbol is associated with the right-wing extremist nationalist group Grey Wolves which is banned in Austria. It is a punishable offense and could be fined up to €4,000 since 2019.
The Al-Ahli defender speaking after the game said that the gesture, which is linked to Turkey’s ruling coalition party the National Movement Party, was in his mind as the goal celebration.
“I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it,” he said.
Demiral also posted the photo of the celebration on X with the caption, “How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!”
🇹🇷 Ne mutlu Türküm diyene! pic.twitter.com/4K3kVPFxgW
— Merih Demiral (@Merihdemiral) July 2, 2024
Though the sign is not banned in Germany, there has been a long-running discussion among politicians from both left and right to make it illegal.
Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser condemned Demiral’s action and wrote on X, “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums. Using the soccer European Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable”. She also added that the Wolves group is under surveillance by Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
Meanwhile, in response to the minister’s condemnation, Turkey summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday to mark their protest.
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UEFA’s statement read, “An investigation has been opened in accordance with Article 31(4) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations in relation to the alleged inappropriate behaviour of the Turkish Football Federation player, Merih Demiral. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
