Turkish defender Merih Demiral finds himself at the centre of a controversy after celebrating his second goal in their Euro 2024 victory over Austria with a gesture deemed offensive. The 26-year-old Al-Ahli defender, who scored both goals in Turkey’s 2-1 win, saluted the crowd with a gesture associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group in Turkey with links to the ruling National Movement Party.
The celebration, pre-planned according to Demiral, proved problematic. The “wolf salute” is banned in Austria and France, and UEFA, European football’s governing body, took a dim view of the gesture.
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Demiral was charged on multiple counts: failing to comply with general principles of conduct, violating basic rules of decent conduct, using sports events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing the sport of football into disrepute. This resulted in a two-match ban, effectively ruling him out of the crucial quarter-final against the Netherlands.
This decision has ignited controversy and strong reactions from Turkey. Osman Askın Bak, the nation’s Minister of Youth and Sports, took to social media (platform unspecified) to condemn UEFA’s verdict. He called it “unfair and biased,” lacking legal basis and driven by political motives. He further announced legal action against UEFA, vowing to fight this “double standard” applied to Turkey and Demiral.
Vincenzo Montella, the Turkish national team coach, echoed the Minister’s sentiment. During a pre-match press conference, he argued that the gesture was misinterpreted and lacked political intent. He saw the ban as an attempt to suppress Turkish pride, but instead, believed it would have the opposite effect. He described the salute as a symbol for Turks worldwide and predicted an even stronger display of national pride on the pitch, in the stands, and among viewers.
This incident highlights the complex relationship between sport and politics. While Demiral might not have intended a political message, the symbol he used carries significant political baggage. UEFA’s stance prioritizes maintaining a neutral playing field and preventing the politicization of the sport. However, Turkey views the ban as an attack on their national identity, further escalating the situation.
