July 3 – Turkey’s Euro 2024 last-16 hero Merih Demiral is under investigation by UEFA after appearing to make an ultra-nationalist salute during his country’s victory against Austria.
The 26-year-old celebrated his second goal by raising the index and little finger of each hand above his head, meaning he could face a potential suspension for the quarter-final.
The gesture appeared to perform a ‘Wolf’s Salute’, associated with the Grey Wolves group, a far-right extremist group in Turkey. It caused outrage among Austrian fans as it is banned in that country and France – although not in Germany – as an act supporting terrorism.
Demiral scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Austria to earn a place in the quarterfinals. He was already reprimanded in 2019 for making military-style salutes at games at a time when the country was conducting a military offensive in Syria.
The Gray Wolves were founded as the youth wing of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, which is currently in an alliance with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party, the Justice and Development Party.
In the decades following its founding in the 1960s, the group was accused of involvement in politically motivated violence, mostly against leftist groups.
The Gray Wolves group has been banned in France, while Austria has banned the use of the Gray Wolf salute, which is widely used by nationalists in Turkey.
The Al-Ahli defender said the salute was pre-planned.
“I had a goal celebration in mind, which I did,” said Demiral. “I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it.”
UEFA’s investigation has been opened in accordance with Article 31(4) in relation to the “alleged inappropriate behaviour” of Demiral.
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