According to media information - Uefa allegedly bans Demiral for two matches after "wolf salute"
The so-called Wolf Salute of Turkish football national player Merih Demiral at the European Championship in Germany is causing more ripples. "Bild" reported on Thursday evening that Demiral would be suspended by Uefa for two EM games. He would therefore miss the quarterfinal against the Netherlands and a potential semifinal.
However, the Turkish Football Federation named the report of the ban a false one. Until Friday morning, there was still time to file a defense. The Turkish Communications Ministry also wrote on the platform X that the ban was incorrect information. The UEFA remained silent on the matter on Thursday evening.
Demiral showed the "Wolf Salute" with his hands after scoring a goal in the Turkish team's match against Austria in the round of 16. This gesture is considered a symbol of the Turkish far-right Grey Wolves. In Germany, there are estimated to be 18,500 members, making it the largest far-right extremist organization in the country. The Grey Wolves are not banned, but they are monitored by the Federal Constitutional Protection Agency.
The Wolf Salute is not banned in Germany. "The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums," wrote Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on the platform X nonetheless. "Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable." She urged the European football association Uefa to investigate the case and consider sanctions, which Uefa agreed to. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called the Uefa investigation unacceptable.
Merih Demiral's goal celebration has a diplomatic echo
The Turkish ambassador in Berlin was summoned to the Foreign Office on Thursday to discuss the matter, as a spokesperson in Berlin announced. The German ambassador in Ankara had already been summoned on Wednesday. The Turkish government accuses Germany of xenophobia in this case.
Turkey won against Austria in Leipzig on Tuesday with a score of 2:1 and will play in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands in Berlin on Saturday. Demiral scored both goals against Austria.
According to media reports, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend the quarterfinal on Saturday evening. An official confirmation for the visit was not yet available. "A meeting between Turkish President Erdogan and German Chancellor Scholz on Saturday is not planned," said a government spokesperson in response to a query.
- The controversy surrounding Merih Demiral's Wolf Salute at the European Championship in Germany has also sparked discussions about the Protection of the constitution, with the Turkish government accusing Germany of xenophobia.
- Despite UEFA's reported two-game suspension of Demiral for the European Championship, the Turkish Football Federation and the Turkish Communications Ministry have denied the ban, citing false information.
- As Turkey prepares for the quarterfinal of the European Football Championship against the Netherlands in Berlin, Merih Demiral, who scored both goals in Turkey's victory against Austria in Leipzig, is under scrutiny for his controversial goal celebration.
- The European Championship, hosted in various cities across Europe, including Austria, has become a platform for political statements, with Merih Demiral's Wolf Salute at the center of this debate, causing tension between Turkey and Germany.
