European Football Championship - Özil also at Turkey's European Championship match against the Netherlands
Former German football national team player Mesut Özil attended the EM-Quarterfinal match between Turkey and the Netherlands at the Berlin Olympiastadion. The 35-year-old sat in the tribune behind Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife.
Previously, Özil had caused a stir on Instagram with a post that further fueled the controversial Wolf's Salute debate. He shared a photo of the controversial celebration of Turkish national player Merih Demiral. The gesture was inadvertently an encouragement for Turkey. Demiral was suspended from UEFA for two games for the gesture.
The 26-year-old Demiral, after scoring his second goal in the 2:1 against Austria, formed the Hand sign and symbol of the "Grey Wolves" with both hands. In Germany, the "Grey Wolves" are referred to as the ultranationalist "Ülkücü-Movement," which is monitored by the Federal Constitutional Protection.
Özil causes a stir with photos
The Wolf's Salute typically expresses loyalty or sympathy towards the Turkish ultranationalist Ülkücü-Movement and its ideology. In Turkey, it is used by the ultranationalist MHP party, which is a partner in the government under President Erdogan.
Due to the Wolf's Salute controversy, the mood before the game was heated. "This biased and predetermined decision has deeply disappointed our entire nation," said Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi in a statement.
Özil had already caused a stir the previous year with a photo showing him with a tattoo on his chest featuring three crescents and a howling wolf. These symbols are associated with the "Grey Wolves."
- Fans in the stands of the Olympic Stadium Berlin showed their support for Turkey with the Wolf's Salute during the EM-Quarterfinal match against the Netherlands.
- Mesut Özil, despite being in Germany, has been vocal about his support for the Turkish cause, often seen expressing his views on Instagram.
- The Wolf's Salute, a controversial gesture, has been linked to extremist group the Grey Wolves, a topic of concern in Germany due to its ultranationalist roots.
- Merih Demiral's use of the Wolf's Salute did not go unnoticed in the European Football Championship, and it led to a suspension from UEFA for his actions.
- Despite being suspended, Demiral's impact on the field was evident, as he scored a crucial goal to help Turkey secure a 2:1 victory against Austria.
- The German government and football federation have been closely monitoring the situation, concerned about the potential for extremist sentiment to infiltrate the sport.
- The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife were present at the match in Berlin, adding an extra layer of political tension to the already heated atmosphere.
- As the debate surrounding the Wolf's Salute and its associations continues, the future of soccer in Europe remains uncertain, with fans and players becoming increasingly divided on the issue.
