European Football Championship - Police interrupt Turkish fan march because of wolf salute
Due to many Turkish football fans displaying the controversial Wolf Salute, the Berlin Police halted the fan march before the EU-Quarterfinal against the Netherlands. Fans were asked to stop showing the gesture. A fan march is "not a platform for political messages," the police stated on the platform X.
The controversy surrounding Merih Demiral's Wolf Salute by the Turkish national player during the match against Austria in the round of 16, after his second goal, had already heated up the situation in Berlin before the EU-match. Demiral was suspended for two games by UEFA due to this gesture.
In Turkey, UEFA's decision partially caused outrage. Turkish football Ultras called on fans to display the Wolf Salute at the Berlin Olympic Stadium. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his attendance at the game.
The Wolf Salute typically represents allegiance or sympathy towards the Turkish ultranationalist Grey Wolves Movement and its ideology. In Turkey, it is used by the ultranationalist MHP party, which is a partner in the government under Erdogan.
- Despite the Berlin Police's intervention to prevent the Wolf Salute during the fan march for the EU-Quarterfinal between Germany and the Netherlands, many fans were spotted performing the gesture.
- The European Football Championship, held in various European countries, became a stage for the controversial Wolf Salute, particularly seen among Turkish fans.
- The German government expressed concern over the extent of extremism displayed by Turkish fans, urging UEFA to take stern actions against the Wolf Salute.
- Merih Demiral, the Turkish national player, who was suspended for the Wolf Salute during the match against Austria, was booed by the Dutch fans during their encounter at the EU-Quarterfinal.
- The Netherlands team, aware of the tension, decided to gather at the team hotel instead of joining the usual pre-match fan march to avoid any confrontation with the Turkish fans.
- Police forces from across Europe were deployed in Berlin to maintain law and order during the EU-Quarterfinal between Germany and Turkey, due to the potential for fan disturbances stemming from the Wolf Salute issue.
