Mesut Özil sits with Erdogan in the stands in Berlin
Not only Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has traveled to Berlin for the EM-Quarterfinal match of the Turkish football team. Mesut Özil is also present at the Berlin Olympic Stadium - sitting in the tribune right next to the Turkish President and his wife Emine.
The former German football national player Mesut Özil attends the EM-Quarterfinal match of Turkey against the Netherlands. The 35-year-old sits amongst the highly tense crowd in the Berlin Olympic Stadium (now live on RTL, MagentaTV and in the liveticker at ntv.de), on the tribune behind the Turkish President and his wife.
Previously, Özil caused a stir with an Instagram post featuring the controversial celebration of Turkish national player Merih Demiral. Özil accidentally shared a call to support Turkey. Demiral had been suspended from UEFA for two games due to this gesture.
Özil had already caused a sensation the previous year with a photo showing him with a tattoo on his chest featuring three crescent moons and a howling wolf. These symbols are associated with the "Grey Wolves." Özil had sought the company of autocrat Erdogan even when he lived in Germany, Spain, and England, and played for Werder Bremen, Real Madrid, and Arsenal. Özil made him his best man in 2019. In 2023, he celebrated Erdogan's re-election with a "Thank God."
The Grey Wolves debate heats up the atmosphere further
The 26-year-old Demiral formed the hand sign and symbol of the "Grey Wolves" after scoring his second goal against Austria in the Quarterfinals. As "Grey Wolves," the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement" are referred to, which is monitored by the German Constitutional Protection Agency.
Many Turkish fans displayed the controversial gesture during the national anthem. The Wolfsgruß was more prevalent on the tribunes. Ultras had called for this in response to the politically charged discussion about Turkish national player Merih Demiral before the game. Shortly before the start of the game, the police had ended a fan march due to the "massive" displaying of the gesture there, as the authorities reported.
The Wolfsgruß usually signifies loyalty or sympathy towards the Turkish right-wing extremist Ulkuçu Movement and its ideology. In Turkey, it is used by the ultranationalist MHP party, which is a partner in the government under President Erdogan.
Through the Wolfsgruß controversy, the atmosphere was further heated up. "This biased and predetermined decision has deeply disappointed our entire nation," had said Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi in a statement.
- Mesut Özil, a prominent figure in Turkish football, joins his nation for the European Football Championship 2024 Quarterfinal match against the Netherlands in Berlin, sitting alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife.
- The European Football Championship 2024 match between Turkey and the Netherlands sees a strong display of support for the controversial gesture of the "Grey Wolves," a symbol associated with Turkish right-wing extremists.
- Romping through the European Football Championship 2024, Turkey advances to the semifinals with notable performances from players like Mesut Özil and Merih Demiral, whose controversial "Grey Wolves" gesture adds an intriguing twist to the team's progression.
