The controversy surrounding Turkish defender Merih Demiral’s ‘wolf salute’ celebration during Turkey’s Euro 2024 match against Austria has escalated into a diplomatic incident. UEFA’s investigation into Demiral’s gesture, associated with the far-right Turkish nationalist ‘Grey Wolves’ movement, has drawn sharp criticism from the Turkish government.The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially condemned UEFA’s investigation, calling it ‘unacceptable’ and criticizing the German authorities’ reactions as xenophobic. In a strong diplomatic move, Turkey summoned the German Ambassador to express their disturbance over the incident.Demiral, who scored both goals in Turkey’s 2-1 victory against Austria, propelling them to the quarterfinals, has defended his actions. He claims the gesture was a symbol of his Turkish identity and pride, stating he saw many fans in the stadium making the same gesture. However, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has equated the gesture to a ‘Nazi greeting’ and called for UEFA to take disciplinary action.The incident has reignited debates about the intersection of politics and sports. The Society for Threatened Peoples, a German human rights organization, has called on UEFA to crack down on the use of the wolf salute, describing it as a symbol of oppression and persecution. Meanwhile, Turkish officials, including Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak and AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik, have come out in support of Demiral.As the controversy unfolds, it could have significant implications for Turkey’s Euro 2024 campaign. If Demiral faces punishment, it may impact his availability for the upcoming quarterfinal match against the Netherlands. UEFA has appointed an ethics and discipline investigator to evaluate the case, with the outcome eagerly awaited by both sides of the dispute.
Key points
- UEFA is investigating Turkish defender Merih Demiral for his ‘wolf salute’ celebration during Euro 2024.
- The Turkish government has condemned the investigation and summoned the German Ambassador over the incident.
- The gesture is associated with the far-right Turkish nationalist ‘Grey Wolves’ movement and has been equated to a ‘Nazi greeting’ by German officials.
- The incident has sparked a debate about political symbolism in sports and could impact Turkey’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Contradictions👾While Demiral claims his gesture was a symbol of Turkish identity and pride, German officials and human rights organizations view it as a far-right symbol.
👾The Turkish government defends the gesture as a cultural symbol, while some European countries have banned it due to its far-right connotations.
