By Joiner Martinez
04 Jul 2024, 18:27 PM EDT
Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been suspended by UEFA for the next two Euro 2019 matches.
The centre-back performed the ‘Grey Wolf’ symbol in celebration of his second goal in the round of 16 against Austria.
The gesture is in keeping with the ‘Grey Wolves’ movement, a far-right movement in the Ottoman country. Political messages are banned during the Euros, both in the stands and on the pitch. The club will miss the quarter-finals against the Netherlands and a possible semi-final in the event of a victory.
The Turk made a gesture with his two hands resembling a wolf’s head, a very representative sign of the ‘Ulkucu’ movement, also known as the Grey Wolves.
They are a Turkish terrorist, ultra-nationalist, neo-fascist and Islamist organisation, and according to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, have over 12,000 members in Germany. The grey wolf means “ancestry and power”, the wolf has particular significance to Turkish right-wing extremists and is often depicted symbolically. The display of the ‘wolf salute’ can be interpreted as a commitment to the ‘Ulkucu’ ideology.
The player appeared before the media after the match and said that he has “a very strong feeling for his country” and that he feels “tremendously proud to be Turkish”. He also uploaded the photo to his social networks, accompanied by the message “How happy is the one who says he is Turkish!”
This decision is consistent with previous UEFA decisions, in which Albanian player Arlind Daku was banned for two matches for chanting nationalist slogans at the end of the match in the first round of the group stage.
Germany summons Turkish ambassador after Demiral’s gesture
Germany on Thursday summoned Turkey’s ambassador to Berlin over a controversial gesture made by Turkish footballer Merih Demiral while celebrating a goal at the European Championship, according to the German Foreign Ministry.
A growing diplomatic row erupted after the Turkish defender made an alleged ultra-nationalist gesture – also known as a “wolf salute”, associated with the Turkish far-right group “Grey Wolves” – during his team’s victory over Austria on Tuesday.
“The Turkish ambassador was summoned this morning,” the ministry said in a statement, a day after Turkey recalled the German ambassador in Ankara. German representatives discussed the incident with the Turkish ambassador in Berlin, the ministry added.
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