UEFA Disqualified Turkish Footballer Demiral for Extremist 'Wolf Salute' Gesture at EURO 2024
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has banned Turkish footballer Merih Demiral for two matches after he made the nationalist 'wolf salute' gesture during his goal celebration in the match against Austria on 5th July. The anticipated presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has further heightened tensions ahead of the quarter-final match in Berlin.
The 26-year-old centre-back Demiral will now miss Turkey's quarter-final against the Netherlands on 6th July, sparking outrage and calls from his government to overturn the punishment.
Demiral mimicked the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers after scoring his second goal in Turkey's 2-1 victory over Austria, which secured their place in the quarter-finals. This symbol is associated with the far-right Turkish group 'Grey Wolves' and has been condemned by Germany as racist.
The gesture is illegal in Austria and punishable by a fine of up to €4,000 (£3,400; $4,300). Similar nationalist hand gestures are also banned in France.
UEFA stated that Demiral was penalised "for not adhering to general principles of conduct, for violating basic rules of decent conduct, for using sporting events to make unsporting gestures, and for tarnishing the honour of football."
Demiral said he had planned the gesture and was proud of it as an expression of patriotism. The Turkish Football Federation plans to appeal the decision, according to Turkish media reports.
In Turkey, the ban has been criticised as "completely unlawful." The decision was believed to have been made under political pressure from "certain groups."
Amid the controversy over Demiral's gesture, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to attend his country's game in Berlin. Erdogan's presence is expected to increase tensions during the match in Berlin, home to over 200,000 people of Turkish descent, drawing criticism from German politicians and prompting heightened security measures by law enforcement.
Turkish ultras, a group of Turkish football fans, have called on all supporters to salute the 'Grey Wolves' during the Turkish national anthem, as reported by the Turkish edition of Deutsche Welle (DW).
In response to the outcry over Erdogan's plan to visit Germany for the match, Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a statement. Scholz, choosing to answer journalists' questions cautiously about Erdogan's visit, reminded that heads of state and government, as well as members of royal families from other countries, had also visited Germany for EURO 2024. He expressed that he welcomed Erdogan's visit, as with others.