The UEFA Disciplinary Body has launched an investigation against Merih Demiral. The Turkish international player had shown the wolf salute, the symbol of the Turkish right-wing extremist organization “Grey Wolves”, during the victory against Austria in the European Championship round of 16.
UEFA confirmed this on Wednesday (July 3, 2024). Demiral had shown the salute with both hands during the match in Leipzig against Austria on Tuesday (July 2, 2024). The “Grey Wolves” are an ultra-nationalist, racist and violent organization. It is considered the largest right-wing extremist movement in Germany.
Demiral posted a photo of himself showing the greeting
Neither the organization nor the salute are prohibited in Germany. Demiral therefore did not commit a crime. In Austria, however, the salute is prohibited. UEFA repeatedly sanctions political symbols, which the disciplinary body often considers “inappropriate for a sporting event.” Demiral later posted a photo of himself showing the salute on “X.”
“The way I celebrated has something to do with my Turkish identity,” said Demiral, who was named “Player of the Match” by UEFA, at the press conference. “That’s why I made this gesture. I saw people in the stadium who also made this gesture.” There was “no hidden message” behind it. “We are all Turks, I am very proud to be Turkish and that is the meaning of this gesture. I just wanted to demonstrate how happy I am and how proud I am.” There will “hopefully be more opportunities to show this gesture.” Turkey will play the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 9 p.m. in Berlin.
The “Grey Wolves”
If “Gray Wolves” is the name given to supporters of the right-wing extremist “Ülkücü” movement. In Germany, it is monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. However, the organization is not banned, nor are its symbols. The requirements for a ban on an association are high: the association’s purposes or activities must contravene criminal law or be directed against the constitutional order or the idea of international understanding. The “Grey Wolves” are considered the largest right-wing extremist movement in Germany. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution estimates that it has around 12,000 followers. In Turkey, the ultra-nationalist MHP party is its political representative and an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamic-conservative AKP.
Federal Interior Minister Faeser: “Using the European Championship as a platform for racism is unacceptable”
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser criticized Demiral. “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums. Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable,” said the SPD politician.
The Interior Minister continued: “Our security authorities have Turkish right-wing extremists in Germany firmly in their sights. The ‘Grey Wolves’ are under observation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.”
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser
Turkish Foreign Ministry defends Demiral
Demiral received support from Turkish politicians. The head of the ultra-nationalist MHP, Devlet Bahceli, described the initiation of proceedings by UEFA against the player as a “provocation”. The step was “extremely biased and wrong”. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also condemned the UEFA investigation and described it as unacceptable.
As the Reuters news agency reported, citing a Turkish diplomatic source, the Foreign Ministry has also summoned the German ambassador in the Turkish capital Ankara because of the discussions surrounding the wolf salute.
Wolf salute seen at fans’ celebrations
The “Grey Wolves” salute was already visible in the group phase. Thousands of Turkish fans celebrated after the victories in numerous German cities. “The wolf salute was seen at celebrations in every major German city. But it is an anti-democratic symbol,” said author Burak Yilmaz in an interview with Sportschau after Turkey’s game against Georgia. In his opinion, the fact that a national player showed the wolf salute is a “complete catastrophe”. This makes it easier for the right-wing extremist movement to recruit new supporters.
A man gives the wolf salute during a motorcade following Turkey’s victory against Georgia.
Yilmaz has been researching the “Grey Wolves” for years and is calling for a different approach to the movement. In France, for example, the organization was banned in 2020. He would also support such a step in Germany.
The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) in Göttingen called for UEFA to take stricter action. “UEFA should clearly position itself against the display of right-wing extremist symbols,” said the human rights organization’s Middle East representative, Kamal Sido, in a statement.
During the group phase, there were several incidents involving right-wing extremism or nationalism. Most of them involved fans. However, Mirlind Daku was also a player who was noticed and punished. After the Albanian national player made derogatory comments about Macedonia through a megaphone, Daku was banned for two games.
