Turkish footballer Merih Demiral has been handed a two-game suspension by UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, after he displayed the hand gesture of the notorious, ultra-nationalist, neo-fascist Grey Wolves group while celebrating his second goal in Turkey’s 2-1 win over Austria during the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16 match on Tuesday in Germany, reports BILD.
UEFA opened an investigation into the controversial goal celebration, which led to this decision. This suspension means Demiral will miss Turkey’s upcoming quarterfinal match against the Netherlands and a potential semifinal game.
As previously reported by Zartonk Media, Demiral celebrated his second goal with the fascist salute, drawing widespread criticism and prompting an investigation by UEFA. Article 16, 2 (e) of UEFA’s disciplinary proceedings manual prohibits “the use of gestures, words, objects or any other means to transmit a provocative message that is not fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious or offensive nature.”
In response to the criticism, the 26-year-old footballer defended his actions, stating he had planned it in advance, and that it was a way of him expressing his Turkish identity, because he said, “I’m very proud to be a Turk.”
After the game, Demiral said he hopes for “more opportunities to do the same gesture again.” Demiral also published the photo on social media captioning the image “Ne mutlu Turkum diyene” or “How happy is the one who says he is a Turk” a motto coined by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, architect of the Great Fire of Smyrna and other genocidal crimes against Armenians and Greeks.
On Wednesday, UEFA confirmed that it had appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector in accordance with Article 31 (4) of its disciplinary regulations to investigate the matter. No timeline for the conclusion of the investigation was provided.
The Grey Wolves are a Turkish far-right political movement and the youth wing of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Ultra-nationalist and neo-fascist, the Grey Wolves are banned in France and designated as a terrorist group in Germany due to their fervent anti-Armenian and Armenophobic acts, behaviors, and tendencies. France, years ago, accused the group of “extremely violent actions,” spreading “extremely violent threats” and creating “incitement to hatred against authorities and Armenians,” said Gabriel Attal, spokesperson of the French Cabinet.
Germany’s Interior Minister called on UEFA to punish Demiral, stating, “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums. Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable.” German authorities characterize the group’s ideology as nationalist-extremist, anti-Semitic, and racist. The group has been banned in France, and Austria has banned the use of the Grey Wolf salute.
Racism has no place in sports. UEFA has long championed the motto “Say No To Racism” in an effort to eliminate hate from football. Demiral and Turkey must be punished. This is not the first time the Turkish National Football Team and its players have flashed fascist insignia. Cenk Tosun, during his time at Everton FC, flashed the fascist group’s sign after scoring a goal for the Merseyside club. UEFA also investigated the Turkish National Football Team in 2019 after Turkey’s national footballers gave a military salute in support of Ankara’s armed offensive against Kurds in Syria.
