Huge outrage after "wolf salute" at Turkey match
With a right-wing salute, Turkish national player Demiral cheers for his win against Austria. The outrage is great, as UEFA launches investigations against the player - he faces a ban. However, the losers in this case are also Polish politics and Turkish fans.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was outraged by Turkish football national player Merih Demiral, who displayed the so-called Wolf's Salute during the EM quarterfinals. With the recognition gesture of the "Grey Wolves," one of the largest right-wing extremist groups in Germany, Demiral celebrated his second goal against Austria (2:1) on Tuesday night. "The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums. Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable," shared the SPD politician.
Faeser demanded a reaction from the European Football Union in a post on the X platform. The UEFA itself announced in the morning that they would investigate the case. The Interior Minister continued: "Our security authorities have Turkish right-wing extremists in Germany under close surveillance. The 'Grey Wolves' are under the observation of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution."
"No Insight, but Execution Deficit"
The German-Israeli Society criticized the political inaction. "It's time to finally ban the Grey Wolves and the Wolf's Salute. We don't have a lack of knowledge, but a lack of enforcement," writes the association in a statement. Already in 2020, the German Bundestag had demanded a ban. Now, the investigation must finally lead to a result. "The Grey Wolves pose a threat to Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and Kurds. The ideological superiority claims of these fascist nationalists endanger public safety."
Whether German or Turkish right-wing extremism, there is no reason to turn a blind eye, it continues. "The rule of law must act here consistently and with full force. There is no reason for leniency or opportunism. This group is numerically significant in Germany."
Human rights activist Düzen Tekkal confirmed the association's view. She herself has been receiving death threats from Grey Wolves supporters for years. "Merih Demiral's display of the right-wing extremist Wolf's Salute is a mockery of the victims," wrote Tekkal on X. "So bitter for Turkish fans."
Demiral himself said in the night about the gesture he made with both hands in the second half, "How I celebrated has something to do with my Turkish identity." He claimed that he did not send a hidden message but only wanted to express his pride as a Turk. The UEFA is investigating against him, a ban threatens.
As 'Grey Wolves,' the supporters of the right-wing extremist 'Ülkücü-Movement' are called, who are observed by the security authorities in Germany. The authorities estimate their number in the Federal Republic to be around 12,100. In Turkey, the ultranationalist MHP is their political representation and alliance partner of the islamo-conservative AKP of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Following the incident, the EU-Turkey deal could potentially face scrutiny in EU politics due to Erdogan's association with the controversial 'Grey Wolves'. The UEFA's investigation into Demiral's actions at the European Football Championship 2024 might be influenced by the political tension surrounding extremist groups.
In light of Demiral's actions and the EU's response, the potential hosting of the European Football Championship 2024 in Turkey may become a contentious topic in European politics, given Turkey's association with right-wing extremism and Erdogan's ties to the 'Grey Wolves'.
