Turkey’s Demiral has been suspended for two matches following his controversial gesture, UEFA has announced.
UEFA announced on Wednesday that it was opening an investigation into the “potential inappropriate behaviour” of Turkish defender Merih Demiral during Tuesday’s Euro 2020 round of 16 tie against Austria (2-1), during which he scored twice.
Demiral himself posted a photo on his X account of himself raising his arms to celebrate one of his goals, and making the sign of the “Grey Wolves”, a Turkish far-right group, with his hands. The image was widely shared on social media.
An “ethics and disciplinary investigator” has been appointed and further information on the matter will follow, UEFA said in its statement.
“The symbol of Turkish right-wing extremists has no place in our stadiums,” reacted Nancy Faeser, the German Minister of the Interior, on X.
Also read: “A trivialized gesture”, but “the equivalent of the Nazi salute”: what does the controversial celebration of Merih Demiral cover?
No “hidden message”
“Using the Euro football championship as a platform for racism is totally unacceptable. We expect UEFA to investigate the case and consider sanctions,” she added.
“The way I celebrated the match is linked to my Turkish identity,” Demiral explained after the match in Leipzig. “I saw people in the stadium who also made this gesture.” According to the player, there should be no “hidden message” behind this gesture. “I just wanted to show how happy and proud I was.”
The Grey Wolves movement is in the crosshairs of the intelligence services of several European countries, including Germany, the organizer of the Euro football championship. In Turkey, it is represented by the ultranationalist MHP party, a partner of the conservative AKP party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Also read Here is the big barometer of the Red Devils at the Euro: Faes and Casteels at the top, Lukaku and Trossard missed out
2024-07-05 10:51:01
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