Turkey defender Merih Demiral facing calls for UEFA ban over ‘banned gesture linked to far-right extremist group’ with probe launched after Euro 2024 win against Austria
- The ‘wolf salute’ is associated with the Grey Wolves and is banned in Austria
- Merih Demiral made a gesture after scoring in Turkey’s victory on Tuesday
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UEFA is investigating Turkish defender Merih Demiral after he allegedly made a gesture associated with a far-right group.
Demiral scored twice last night in his country’s 2-1 win over Austria in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, which sent them through to the quarter-finals against the Netherlands.
But the 26-year-old’s controversial celebration after his second goal has prompted an investigation by the Football Association over alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
The centre-back, who now faces a suspension, has been accused of performing a ‘wolf salute’, an act linked to the Grey Wolves, a far-right group in Turkey.
The Grey Wolves, officially called Ulku Ocaklari, are the youth movement of the Nationalist Movement Party, which forms a coalition with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkish defender Merih Demiral is being investigated by UEFA and could face a suspension after allegedly making a gesture linked to the far-right group Grey Wolves
Demiral scored both goals for Turkey in their 2-1 win over Austria in the round of 16 of Euro 2024
Supporters of the group are considered extremists by the German Agency for Constitutional Protection, as well as by the European Union and the United States.
The gesture Demiral is said to have made is banned in France and Austria.
The ban was introduced in Austria in 2019 after a law was passed banning symbols of “extremist organisations”. The gesture can lead to fines of up to €4,000.
But in 2019, the Turkish government criticized Austria’s stance, saying the ban equated a symbol of a legal political party with that of the PKK, a Kurdish militant movement considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU.
After the match, Demiral explained why he made this gesture.
“I had a specific celebration in mind, something that was connected to my Turkish identity. I am incredibly proud to be Turkish, and I felt that pride deeply after I scored,” he said.
Demiral headed in his second goal from a corner before making the ‘wolf’ gesture
The gesture Demiral (left) is said to have made is banned in France and Austria
Nancy Faeser, Germany’s Minister of the Interior and Home Affairs, has called for a UEFA ban
“I wanted to express that and I’m really happy I did. Our fans are proud of us. I saw them make the gesture in the stands and that made me want to do it even more.”
German Interior and Home Affairs Minister Nancy Faeser has called on UEFA to consider sanctions and criticised the alleged gesture.
“The symbols of Turkish far-right extremists do not belong in our stadiums,” Faeser posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday morning. “Using the European Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable.”
A UEFA statement confirmed that an investigation had been opened “in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Rules regarding the alleged inappropriate conduct of Turkish Football Federation player Merih Demiral.”
UEFA’s safety and security regulations state that ‘the promotion or announcement of political messages or other political actions in or in the immediate vicinity of the stadium is strictly prohibited before, during and after’ matches.
Post Sport has contacted UEFA and the Turkish Football Federation for comment.
UEFA is also currently investigating the ‘X-rated’ gesture made by Jude Bellingham after scoring England’s equaliser in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Slovakia.