In a controversial move, Turkey has unveiled a statue of footballer Merih Demiral in the city of Balu, depicting him making the notorious “Grey Wolves” hand gesture”the same gesture that led to Demiral receiving a two-game suspension from UEFA during the Euro 2024 tournament earlier this year in June, where he used the ultra-nationalist, racist salute to celebrate his goal in Turkey’s victory over Austria, reports Zartonk Media.
The statue was presented to the public by Balu’s mayor in a celebratory ceremony, despite the racist and extremist connotations of the salute. The Grey Wolves, a far-right, ultra-nationalist group with a violent history of anti-Armenian, anti-Kurdish, and anti-Greek actions, have been banned in France, Austria, and Kazakhstan, and are closely monitored by authorities in Germany.
During Euro 2024, Demiral made headlines for the gesture, which UEFA deemed as transmitting “a provocative message not fit for a sports event, particularly provocative messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, or offensive nature.” As a result, Demiral received a two-game ban, but defended his actions, claiming it was a show of Turkish pride. He later doubled down on social media, captioning an image of himself with the phrase “Ne mutlu Turkum diyene” or “How happy is the one who says he is a Turk””a phrase linked to Turkish nationalism and its historical atrocities against Armenians and Greeks.
The erection of this statue glorifying Demiral’s actions has ignited a new wave of outrage, highlighting Turkey’s growing alignment with far-right, nationalist ideologies. It raises further concerns about the country’s increasing embrace of symbols and gestures that promote hatred and extremism.
The Grey Wolves, known for their anti-Armenian rhetoric and violent acts, are officially recognized as a terrorist group in Kazakhstan, and their activities have been banned in France and Austria. The creation of this statue sends a troubling message to the international community, signaling Turkey’s defiance in the face of global calls for accountability over actions that perpetuate racism and intolerance.
Turkey’s decision to immortalize Demiral in this way not only undermines UEFA’s efforts to curb extremist behavior in sports but also reveals a deeper, troubling trend of glorifying hate-driven ideologies under the guise of national pride.
