Mesut Özil sits with Erdoğan 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 had caused a stir on Instagram with a picture. He shared a photo of the controversial celebration of the Turkish national player Merih Demiral. The picture inadvertently contained an encouragement for Turkey. Demiral had been suspended from UEFA for two games due to the gesture.
Özil had already caused a sensation the previous year with a photo showing a tattoo on his chest with three crescent moons and a howling wolf. These symbols are associated with the "Grey Wolves". Özil had sought the company of the autocrat Erdogan even when he was still living in Germany, Spain, and England, and playing 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 had formed the hand sign and symbol of the "Grey Wolves" with both hands after scoring his second goal against Austria in the round of 16. As "Grey Wolves", the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu-Movement" are referred to, which is monitored by the Constitutional Protection Agency in Germany.
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 the Turkish national player Merih Demiral prior to 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 expresses loyalty or sympathy with the Turkish right-wing extremist Ulkuçu-Movement and its ideology. In Turkey, it is used by the ultranationalist party MHP, which is a partner in the government under President Erdogan.
Through the Wolfsgruß controversy, the atmosphere was further heated up before the game. "This biased and preconceived decision has deeply disappointed our entire nation," said Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi in a statement.
Mesut Özil's presence at the European Football Championship 2024, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adds another layer of intrigue to the International match between Turkey and an yet-to-be-determined opponent at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
The Grey Wolves debate has once again brought Turkey's political climate into the spotlight, as many fans display the controversial hand sign during the national anthem, sparking controversy and raising concerns before the European Football Championship 2024 match.
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will undoubtedly be paying close attention to the International match, held in Berlin, as it provides a stage for the ongoing political and social tensions in regard to the Grey Wolves and their sympathizers.
