EM 2024 - Uefa bans Demiral for two matches after wolf salute - Turkey takes case to Court of Arbitration for Sport
Turkish Football Association TFF is reportedly appealing against the two-match ban imposed on national player Merih Demiral at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the Wolfsgruß gesture before international matches. TRT reported that the Verband will file a appeal at CAS, where there is a fast-track procedure specifically for the European Football Championship, with a decision expected possibly on Friday evening.
Demiral was previously criticized by UEFA for not adhering to general conduct principles, violating fundamental rules of good conduct, using sporting events for non-sporting demonstrations, and bringing football into disrepute.
Already on Thursday evening, "Bild" reported about the two-match ban. The Turkish Football Association initially dismissed it as a false report, as the deadline for submitting defense documents had not yet passed.
What Happened to Demiral?
The 26-year-old Demiral formed the Hand sign and symbol of the "Grey Wolves" after scoring his second goal in Leipzig during the 2:1 against Austria, causing much controversy. The Grey Wolves are referred to as the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ülkücü-Movement" in Germany, which is monitored by the Federal Constitutional Protection. In Turkey, the ultranationalist MHP is their political representation and alliance partner of the islamic-conservative AKP of President Erdogan.
There has been intense political turmoil in recent days due to the controversy surrounding the gesture. The Turkish Foreign Ministry considered the UEFA investigation against Demiral unacceptable.
Not every person who displays the Grey Wolves sign can be labeled as right-wing extremist. The Wolfsgruß is not banned in Germany, and the reactions of German authorities are "xenophobic."
Ultras Call on Fans to Perform the Wolfsgruß
In the context of increasing nationalism, recently even representatives of the political center have used the Wolfsgruß to appeal to voters from nationalist circles.
Turkish football ultras have called on fans in the Berlin Olympiastadion to perform the controversial Wolfsgruß gesture during their team's Viertelfinal match against the Netherlands. All supporters on the tribune were invited to make the gesture during the national anthem, according to a call on the platform X.
- The Turkish Football Association (TFF) is challenging Demiral's two-match ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), citing a fast-track procedure for the European Football Championship.
- Merih Demiral's two-match ban stemmed from the Wolfsgruß gesture, a hand sign associated with the Grey Wolves, displayed after scoring against Austria.
- The controversy surrounding Demiral's gesture has led to political turmoil, with the Turkish Foreign Ministry considering UEFA's investigation against him as unacceptable.
- The Wolfsgruß gesture is not banned in Germany, but the reactions from German authorities have been labeled as "xenophobic" by some.
- German authorities should avoid labeling every individual who displays the Grey Wolves sign as right-wing extremist, as the Wolfsgruß is not a banned symbol.
- In a show of solidarity, Turkish football ultras have encouraged fans to perform the controversial Wolfsgruß gesture during the team's match against the Netherlands in Berlin's Olympiastadion.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political alliance partner, the MHP, is the political representation of the ultranationalist Grey Wolves in Turkey.
