European Football Championship - UEFA punishes Demiral: two-match ban after wolf salute
For Merih Demiral, the wolf gesture shown during the celebrations against Austria had serious consequences. The UEFA suspended the defender of the Turkish football national team for two games. This means the 26-year-old will miss the EM quarter-final in Berlin against the Netherlands on Saturday (21.00 hours/RTL and Magenta TV), as well as a potential semi-final. For the match against Oranje, the visit of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Olympiastadion is expected.
Demiral had "violated the fundamental principles of conduct, broken the basic rules of good conduct, used sports events for non-sporting demonstrations, and brought football into disrepute," explained the European Football Union (UEFA) regarding its decision.
Previously, the "Bild" had reported on Demiral's two-game suspension. The Turkish Football Federation initially dismissed this as a false report, as the deadline for submitting defense documents had not yet passed.
What happened?
The 26-year-old Demiral formed the symbol and hand gesture of the "Grey Wolves" after scoring his second goal in Leipzig against Austria, causing much controversy. In Germany, the "Grey Wolves" are referred to as the supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement," which is monitored by the Federal Constitutional Protection. In Turkey, the ultranationalist MHP is their political representation and coalition partner of the Islamo-conservative AKP of President Erdogan.
Due to the uproar over the gesture, there has been intense political debate in recent days. 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 wolf's gesture is not banned in Germany, and the reactions of German authorities are "xenophobic."
Ultras call on fans to make the controversial wolf gesture
In the context of a growing nationalism, representatives of the political center have recently used the wolf gesture to appeal to voters from nationalist circles.
Turkish football ultras have invited fans in the Berlin Olympiastadion to make the controversial wolf gesture during their team's quarter-final against the Netherlands. All supporters on the tribune are invited to make the gesture during the national anthem, according to a call on the platform X.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his wolf gesture, Merih Demiral will miss the EM quarter-final against the Netherlands in Berlin due to his suspension by UEFA.
- The suspension also means Demiral will potentially miss a potential semi-final, causing concern for the Turkish football national team.
- The wolf gesture, a symbol of the "Grey Wolves," has been a subject of intense political debate in recent days.
- In Germany, the "Grey Wolves" are associated with the right-wing extremist "Ulkuçu Movement," while in Turkey, they are represented politically by the ultranationalist MHP.
- Despite the controversy, not every person who displays the Grey Wolves sign can be labeled as right-wing extremist, and the wolf's gesture is not banned in Germany.
- Turkish football ultras have invited fans in the Berlin Olympiastadion to make the controversial wolf gesture during their team's quarter-final against the Netherlands.
- This call has sparked concerns about the growing nationalism and the potential use of the wolf gesture as a political tool by representatives of the political center.
