- The ‘wolf salute’ is associated with the Grey Wolves and banned in Austria
- Merih Demiral performed a gesture after scoring in Turkey’s win on Tuesday
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Turkey defender Merih Demiral is under investigation by UEFA after allegedly performing a gesture linked to a far-right extremist group.
Demiral scored twice in his country’s 2-1 victory against Austria in the Euro 2024 last-16 last night, booking them a quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands.
But the 26-year-old’s controversial celebration after his second goal has prompted a probe by the governing body over alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
The centre back, who is now at risk of a ban, is accused of performing a ‘Wolf’s Salute’, an act associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group in Turkey.
The Grey Wolves, officially called Ulku Ocaklari, is the youth movement of the Nationalist Movement Party – which is in coalition with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
Supporters of the group are considered extremists by Germany’s Constitutional Protection Agency, as well as the European Union and the United States.
The gesture allegedly performed by Demiral is banned in France and Austria.
The ban was introduced in Austria in 2019 after a law prohibiting ‘extremist organisation’ symbols was passed. The gesture can result in fines of up to €4,000.
But in 2019, Turkey’s government criticised Austria’s stance, claiming the ban equated a symbol of a legal political party with that of the PKK, a Kurdish militant movement considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU.
After the match, Demiral explained why he had performed the gesture.
‘I had a specific celebration in mind, something connected to my Turkish identity. I am incredibly proud to be Turkish, and I felt that pride deeply after scoring,’ he said.
‘I wanted to express that, and I’m very happy I did. Our fans are proud of us. I saw them doing the gesture in the stands, and it made me want to do it even more.’
Germany’s Minister of Interior and Home Affairs, Nancy Faeser, has urged UEFA to consider sanctions and hit out at the alleged gesture.
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‘The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums,’ Faeser posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday morning. ‘Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable.’
A statement from UEFA confirmed an investigation had been opened ‘in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations in relation to the alleged inappropriate behaviour of the Turkish Football Federation player, Merih Demiral.’
UEFA’s Safety and Security regulations state ‘the promotion or announcement or political messages or other political actions inside or in the immediate vicinity of the stadium is strictly prohibited before, during and after’ matches.
Mail Sport has contacted UEFA and the Turkish FA for comment.
UEFA are also currently investigating the X-rated gesture Jude Bellingham made after scoring England’s equaliser in their 2-1 win against Slovakia on Sunday.