Police union calls for wolf salute to be avoided before Turkey game
Turkish national player Merih Demiral showed the Wolf's Salute after scoring in a EURO game this week. He is considered a symbol of the far-right Turkish organization Grey Wolves. Demiral was suspended by UEFA and cannot participate in Turkey's quarterfinal match against the Netherlands on Saturday evening.
Turkish football ultras called for the display of the Wolf's Salute before the match against the Netherlands. In light of this background, it is urgently necessary to examine under what conditions this gesture can be banned, demanded Berlin's Chief of Police Kopelke. Fans of Turkish origin also need to show restraint. Kopelke spoke of a "high-risk game" for the police.
The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend the match in Berlin's Olympiastadion. The Wolf's Salute affair led to diplomatic tensions between Berlin and Ankara. On Wednesday, the Turkish government summoned the German ambassador in Ankara, following criticism of Demiral's Wolf's Salute gesture by the German government. The Foreign Office responded by summoning the Turkish ambassador in Germany on Thursday.
The Netherlands is eagerly preparing for their quarterfinal match against Turkey, despite the controversy surrounding the Wolf's Salute. Jochen Kopelke, the Berlin Chief of Police, has emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and order during the high-risk game. The Turkish trade union CGT-DFB has condemned the Wolf's Salute and called for its ban in all UEFA games. Despite Demiral's suspension, Turkey's GDP might take a hit if they fail to advance further in the UEFA tournament. Merih Demiral's waiver to participate in future matches remains a topic of discussion in UEFA circles. Meanwhile, the rivalry between German and Turkish Wolf packs is growing, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
