Turkey’s Merih Demiral scores twice during the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Austria in Leipzig, Germany, on July 2, 2024. RONNY HARTMANN / AFP
The day after Turkey’s victory over Austria (2-1) in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced on Wednesday 3 July that it was opening an investigation into the “potential inappropriate behavior” Turkish defender Merih Demiral scored twice.
The 26-year-old, who plays for Saudi club Al-Ahli, celebrated one of his goals by making a hand sign reminiscent of the “Grey Wolves”, a Turkish far-right group. Shortly after the match, Merih Demiral posted a photo of himself celebrating on his X account.
“The symbol of Turkish right-wing extremists has no place in our stadiums”, reacted on X Nancy Faeserthe German interior minister. “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. A “ethics and discipline investigator” has been appointed, and further information on the matter will follow, UEFA said in its statement.
“The pride of being Turkish”
Merih Demiral accompanied the posted image with the motto of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: “Blessed is he who says ‘I am Turkish’”. After the match, the former Juventus Turin player (2019-2022) told the press that he wanted to discuss “the pride of being Turkish”. “I’m very happy I did it. [cette célébration]all our supporters are proud of us. I had seen some of them do it, and so I wanted to do it even more.”
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This controversial gesture comes in a particular context. The first hearing of the trial for the murder of Sinan Ates, a former leader of the “Grey Wolves”, began on Monday, July 1 in Ankara. Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak shared the controversial photo on X, writing: ” All is said “a commentary accompanied by the Turkish flag. In the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 football, Turkey will face the Netherlands on Saturday, July 6 at 9 p.m. in Berlin.
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