Merih Demiral, a former Turkish player for Atalanta and Juventus, currently playing for Al-Ahli, has been suspended after celebrating his second goal in the 2-1 victory over Austria at Euro 2024 by making the Grey Wolves salute with his hands, a gesture associated with the Turkish right-wing extremist and nationalist movement. The salute, banned by UEFA regulations because it is considered political, led to the opening of an investigation by the organization and the subsequent sanction. As if that were not enough, the episode has sparked a real diplomatic incident between Germany and Turkey. The presence of President Erdogan, who has spoken out on the incident, in Berlin to watch the match against the Netherlands adds further tension to an already delicate situation.
INSIGHTS
The Grey Wolves Movement
The Grey Wolves, officially called Ulku Ocaklari, are the youth movement of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AK).
The movement is known for its involvement in political violence and support for the Armenian Genocide. The Grey Wolves gesture is banned in several countries, including France and Austria, where it can carry a fine of up to four thousand euros.
The reactions and consequences
Demiral’s greeting immediately sparked reactions both on and off the pitch. The German Interior Minister called for UEFA to intervene, prompting the German government to summon the German ambassador to Ankara to discuss the incident. Subsequently, the Turkish ambassador to Berlin was also summoned by the German government, highlighting the gravity of the situation from a diplomatic point of view.
UEFA’s decision and Turkey’s reaction
UEFA has decided to suspend Demiral for two games, forcing him to certainly miss the next match against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. The decision has been harshly criticized by Turkish state television TRT, which called it “scandalous”. Demiral has defended his gesture, expressing his national pride and desire to celebrate with the Turkish fans present in the stands.
Erdogan’s words
“Merih (Demiral) showed his joy in this image.” This was said by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as reported by Anadolu, commenting on the greeting of the Grey Wolves that the athlete made after a goal against Austria, at the 2024 European Championships in Germany, and which was sanctioned by UEFA with a suspension for 2 games. “The necessary steps have been taken,” added Erdogan, referring to the summoning of the German ambassador to Ankara, after Berlin had contested the gesture of the footballer, asking UEFA to intervene.
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