A decisive word from UEFA!
The European Football Association has banned Merih Demiral (26) for two matches. The reason: The Turkish central defender celebrated his goal for the 2-0 against Austria (2-1) with the wolf salute, a hand sign and symbol of the “Grey Wolves”. The movement is classified as right-wing extremist in Germany and has been monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for years.
While Demiral himself (so far) remains silent about his punishment, his wife has now come forward! Heidi Lushtaku (34), who has been married to the footballer since 2021, told the Swiss newspaper “Blick”: “My husband is not a racist. He is kind, open and tolerant.” This is not the first time that Lushtaku has commented on the case.
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Even before the ban had been finalized, she had written on her Instagram channel: “The wolf is the animal symbol of Turkey. It has nothing to do with racism or fascism.” And further: “Diversity is the beauty of our family and the strength of our history. Tolerance, kindness, love and generosity are fundamental values that we teach our children.” However, the wolf salute is also clearly the symbol of the right-wing extremist group.
Merih Demiral has been banned for two games after his wolf salute
Photo: RONNY HARTMANN/AFP
Heidi Lushtaku has been married to Demiral since 2021
Photo: Instagram / Heidi Demiral
The fact is: In Turkey, supporters of this nationalist movement are mainly gathered in the MHP – the most important coalition partner of the AKP, the party of ruler Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (70). Erdoğan canceled a trip to Azerbaijan at short notice in order to be at the stadium in Berlin on Saturday for Turkey’s match against Holland (9 p.m.).
There he will probably also see Demiral – just not playing on the pitch.
2024-07-05 12:59:47
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