Turkey Defender Merih Demiral Handed Two-Match Ban for Ultra-Nationalist Salute.
Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been given a two-match ban for making an ultra-nationalist salute during his country’s Euro 2024 victory over Austria.
Demiral, 26, was pivotal in Turkey’s 2-1 win against Austria, scoring both goals to secure a quarter-final spot against the Netherlands on Saturday. However, his celebration of the second goal, a ‘wolf salute’ associated with the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves, has drawn significant controversy. The group is linked with Turkey’s ruling coalition party, the National Movement Party, and the gesture is banned in Austria and France.
The Al-Ahli defender admitted that the salute was pre-planned in case he scored in the last-16 tie. Consequently, he was charged by UEFA, European football’s governing body, for several violations. These included failing to comply with general principles of conduct, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature, and bringing the sport of football into disrepute.
UEFA’s disciplinary measures mean that Demiral will miss Turkey’s upcoming matches, including the crucial quarter-final clash against the Netherlands. The ban underscores UEFA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and sportsmanship of football, particularly in the face of gestures and actions that could incite political or extremist sentiments.
