UEFA has initiated an investigation into Turkey defender Merih Demiral following his goal celebration during Turkey’s victory over Austria, where he appeared to make an ultra-nationalist salute.
During Turkey’s Euro 2024 match against Austria, Merih Demiral, 26, scored twice, securing Turkey’s place in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands with a 2-1 win. However, his celebration of the second goal included a ‘wolf salute’, associated with the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves, which has ties to Turkey’s ruling coalition party, the National Movement Party.
Demiral defended his action, stating it was pre-planned in case he scored: “I had a goal celebration in mind, which I did. I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it.”
The gesture, banned in Austria and France, was posted by Demiral on his X account with the caption: “How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!”
UEFA’s investigation, conducted under Article 31(4) regarding “alleged inappropriate behaviour”, could result in fines or suspension for Demiral. The decision comes as Turkey prepares to face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on Saturday at 8pm BST.
In a separate incident, England midfielder Jude Bellingham is also under investigation for a gesture made during the last-16 win against Slovakia, where he was seen making a crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakian bench after scoring an overhead kick in stoppage time.
German interior minister Nancy Faeser commented on the issue: “The symbols of Turkey’s far-right extremists do not belong in our stadiums. The Euros should not be used to promote racism.”
Meanwhile, National Movement Party chairman Devlet Bahceli defended Demiral’s gesture and criticized UEFA’s investigation: “The Grey Wolf sign made by our son Merih after hitting the net is the Turkish nation’s message to the world. UEFA’s launch of an investigation in this context is both ill-intentioned and part of a chain of provocations that have gained dangerous ground in recent days.”
