Getty ImagesMerih Demiral
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 11:54
Turkish defender Merih Demiral might miss Saturday’s quarter-final match towards the Netherlands on the European Championship. UEFA is investigating the ‘wolf salute’ Demiral gave after his second purpose within the match towards Austria.
The ‘wolf salute’ is a controversial gesture. It’s a image of the ultra-nationalist and far-right Turkish group Gray Wolves. The group has been banned in France since 2020 and is below surveillance in Germany.
The Gray Wolves have ties to the ultra-nationalist MHP get together in Turkey, which varieties a authorities there with President Erdogan’s AK Occasion.
Suspension Albanian
Earlier this European Championship, UEFA launched an investigation into Albanian striker Mirlind Daku and subsequently suspended him for 2 matches. In accordance with UEFA, the attacker introduced soccer into disrepute together with his misconduct after the Albanians’ group match towards Croatia.
After the 2-2 draw towards Croatia, Daku sang insulting lyrics about Serbia and North Macedonia.
Demiral responds
“The best way I celebrated has one thing to do with my Turkish identification,” Demiral defined afterwards. “That is why I made this gesture. I noticed individuals within the stadium who additionally made this gesture. There was no hidden message. We’re all Turks, I’m very proud to be Turkish and that’s the goal of this gesture.”
Some celebrating Turkish followers within the Netherlands additionally made the wolf salute yesterday.
Turks rejoice after European Championship win towards Austria
Demiral was the star of the match within the spherical of 16 towards Austria (2-1) with two objectives and is taken into account one of many workforce’s mainstays.
Nancy Faeser, Germany’s inside minister, condemned Demiral’s motion in a message on X. “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists haven’t any place in our stadiums,” she mentioned. “We anticipate UEFA to analyze the case and take into account sanctions.”
