Turkish star faces European Championship ban due to forbidden gesture against Austria

Turkish defender Merih Demiral faces expulsion from UEFA because of his gesture during the 2-1 win against Austria at the 2024 European Championship on Tuesday evening.

Demiral scored twice to give Turkey a win over Austria in the round of 16, which sets up a quarter-final against the Netherlands on Saturday.

However, the 26-year-old is facing a sanction from UEFA after he made a wolf salute while celebrating his second goal.

The gesture is linked to the Grey Wolves, a right-wing extremist group with close ties to Turkey’s ruling party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The Grey Wolf salute is banned in Austria and is punishable by a fine of up to €4,000 (£3,390).

The group, founded in the 1960s and also banned in France, advocated the use of violence against left-wing activists and ethnic minorities in the 1980s.

“The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums,” wrote German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in a post on X.

“Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable.”

UEFA has since launched an investigation into Demiral’s gesture and the Turkish defender now faces a ban for his country’s quarter-final against the Netherlands this weekend.

A statement from UEFA on Wednesday said: “In view of the EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Austria and Turkey to be played in Leipzig, Germany, on 2 July 2024, an investigation has been opened under Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations into the alleged inappropriate conduct of Turkish Football Federation player Merih Demiral.”

After Turkey’s victory, Demiral revealed that he had actually planned this gesture during the game.

“I had a goal celebration in mind and I did it. I am very proud because I am Turkish. That’s why I felt deep emotions after the goal and wanted to do it and I am very happy about it,” he said.

Demiral then posted a picture on X showing himself celebrating the gesture and wrote “ne mutlu Turkum diyene,” which translates to “How happy is the one who says I am a Turk.”

Demiral’s gesture sparked outrage. Austrian journalist Michael Bonvalot posted on X: “He is openly showing the symbol of the fascist Grey Wolves. These paramilitaries were responsible for thousands of deaths and today sit in the Turkish government together with Erdogan’s AKP. When will UEFA react?”

During the group stage of the 2024 European Championship, Albanian striker Mirlind Daku was banned for two matches by UEFA after using a megaphone to join in the nationalist chants of fans against Serbia and Macedonia.

MORE: Arsenal offers £40,000,000 for Euro 2024 star, Chelsea also wants him

MORE: Former Swiss star Philippe Senderos warns England ahead of Euro 2024 clash

MORE: Swiss star confused why ‘perfect’ English player won’t start at Euro 2024