Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Chair Mehmet Buyukeksi has condemned the UEFA decision to suspend defender Merih Demiral for two matches over a wolf salute gesture as “unacceptable, illegal and political."
Buyukeksi said in a statement on the TFF website the Turkish nation was “deeply disappointed” by UEFA`s “double-standards” and the “disproportionate” ban, citing what he called other more serious and “racist” actions among fans.
He said the suspension for Saturday's quarter-final against the Netherlands - and the following match - will only encourage Turkish fans to support their team even more passionately in Berlin "which we see as our second home,” a reference to the largest Turkish community in a city outside the homeland.
The TFF had reportedly considered appealing the suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but Buyukeksi said that CAS only deals with bans of three matches or more.
Buyukeksi also criticized the fact the UEFA decision was “leaked to prejudiced media” without naming any outlet. Germany`s Bild newspaper reported the suspension on Thursday.
Defender 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 in Leipzig. The gesture is attributed to a far-right extremist movement known as “Ülkücü” or “grey wolves.” They are linked to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political allies, the ultra-nationalist MHP in Turkey.