UEFA has suspended Turkey player Merih Demiral for two matches for making the controversial wolf salute during a Euro 2024 match, adding to the tensions ahead of Saturday's quarter-final against the Netherlands.
The ruling body said on Friday it sanctioned the defender "for failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute."
Controversial gesture
Demiral made the gesture, mimicking with his fingers the shape of a wolf's head, after his second goal in a 2-1 victory over Austria in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
The controversial gesture is attributed, among other things, to a right-wing extremist movement. The movement known as “Ülkücü” or “grey wolves” are linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political allies, the ultra-nationalist MHP in Turkey.
The gesture often expresses sympathizing with the grey wolf ideology. Most recently, the wolf salute in Turkey has also been used by parts of the opposition to appeal to rising nationalism.
Demiral said he only wanted to express that he was proud to be Turkish and that there was no hidden message behind it.
He will miss Saturday's quarter-final and the next match, either the semi-final or another UEFA match.
UEFA outlaws political statements
Political statements and gestures are not permitted at UEFA matches.
UEFA had earlier at the Euros banned Albanian player Mirlind Daku for two matches after he chanted nationalistic slogans together with fans.
Turkey's foreign ministry named the UEFA investigation not acceptable and Turkey also summoned the German ambassador as a reaction to sharp criticism from German politicians.
Erdogan to attend match, ultras call for wolf salute
Presidential sources told dpa that Erdogan was set to attend the match in what local media said was an effort to show solidarity with the national team in person.
A Turkish ultra group has asked fans to make the wolf salute in the Olympic Stadium during the playing of the national anthem before the kick-off.
It insisted that the wolf salute was not racist but "the national symbol of Turkishness."
Ultimate high risk game
The match has already been named "the ultimate high risk match" by Berlin's police union spokesman Benjamin Jendro.
He told dpa some 3,000 police officers would be on duty, and that the expected presence of Erdogan does't really change things because "We are already calling on everyone we can."
Tens of thousands of Turks are expected to be at the match, and the Netherlands also have a huge following.