European Football Championship - Report: Two-match ban for Demiral after wolf salute
For Merih Demiral, it appears that the wolf gesture shown during the goal celebration against Austria, according to a media report, has had serious consequences. The UEFA reportedly suspended the defender of the Turkish national team for two games.
This would mean that the 26-year-old would miss the EM quarterfinal against the Netherlands on Saturday in Berlin (9:00 PM/RTL and Magenta TV) and a potential semifinal. However, Turkish media reported that a decision in this matter had not yet been made. The UEFA remained silent on the matter in the evening.
Demiral formed the hand gesture and symbol of the "Grey Wolves" with both hands after his goal in Leipzig and caused great controversy. The "Grey Wolves" are referred to as the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement" in Germany, which is monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. In Turkey, the ultranationalist MHP is their political representation and alliance partner of the Islamo-conservative AKP of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"Bild": Fine for Bellingham
Initially, Demiral received backing from his home country. The chief of the ultranationalist MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, called the initiation of proceedings by the UEFA a "provocation." The step was "extremely biased and wrong."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also condemned the investigation and called it unacceptable. Not every person who shows the sign of the Grey Wolves can be labeled as right-wing extremist. The wolf gesture is not banned in Germany, and the reactions of German authorities are "xenophobic." The ministry summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday.
According to "Bild," there is also a fine for the Englishman Jude Bellingham. The former BVB player in the service of Real Madrid should not be suspended for an obscene gesture during the goal celebration, but receive a fine of at least 20,000 Euros.
- Despite the controversy surrounding Merih Demiral's 'wolf gesture' during the goal celebration against Austria, Jude Bellingham, his teammate in the UEFA European Football Championship, remains optimistic about avoiding suspension.
- German authorities have been scrutinized by the Turkish Foreign Ministry for labeling individuals who display the 'Grey Wolves' sign as right-wing extremists, considering it an unfair and xenophobic approach.
- The 'Bild newspaper' reported that Jude Bellingham, a player representing England in the UEFA, may face a fine of at least 20,000 Euros for an obscene gesture during a goal celebration.
- Merih Demiral's suspension for two games due to the 'wolf gesture' in the goal celebration raises concerns for the Turkey national team, particularly for their upcoming matches against the Netherlands and potential semifinal opponents at the European Football Championship in Berlin.
- Turkish media have reported mixed messages regarding Demiral's suspension, with some suggesting that a decision has not yet been made, and others questioning the UEFA's handling of the situation.
- The 'Grey Wolves' sign, often associated with right-wing extremists in Germany, has been criticized for its association with the ultranationalist MHP in Turkey, an alliance partner of the Islamo-conservative AKP of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- The controversy surrounding Demiral's 'wolf gesture' at the UEFA European Football Championship in Düsseldorf has shed light on the complex relationship between Germany, Turkey, and the controversial 'Grey Wolves' movement, drawing attention from Turkish and European media alike.
- As the European Football Championship continues, the UEFA's investigation into Demiral's 'wolf gesture' during the goal celebration against Austria remains a source of intrigue and discussion among soccer fans across Europe, particularly those following the Turkish national team's progress in the tournament.
- It remains to be seen whether Demiral's suspension will be upheld, or if the UEFA will take a different approach to the controversy surrounding his 'wolf gesture' during the goal celebration, which has sparked debate and raised questions about the intersection of sports and political controversy at the European Football Championship.
