Turkey’s Merih Demiral suspended for two games by Uefa over wolf gesture

BERLIN – Turkey were dealt a huge blow after defender Merih Demiral was banned for two games by Uefa for a gesture he made during his side’s last-16 win against Austria on July 2.

European football governing body Uefa said in a statement on July 5 that the player was suspended “for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute”.

He will miss the Euro 2024 quarter-final against the Netherlands at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on July 6 and the semi-final if they progress. 

The 26-year-old centre-back scored twice in a 2-1 win over the Austrians to send his side into the last eight for the first time since 2008, and celebrated by making a “wolf” gesture with his fingers. 

The gesture is associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves, a youth branch of the Nationalist Movement Party, which is an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party.

Demiral had said his celebration was related to his “Turkish identity” and there was no “hidden message”.

Mr Erdogan said he decided to attend the quarter-final match after the row, Turkish media reported on July 5.

“Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih showed his excitement with that gesture,” he was quoted as saying.

Following Demiral’s action, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a post on X: “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums.”

Euro 2024 has been virtually a home tournament for Turkey, with the huge Turkish diaspora turning up in vociferous form in all their matches.

Several Turkish players are also born in Germany, including Kaan Ayhan, Salih Ozcan and influential captain Hakan Calhanoglu.

Meanwhile, Dutch-born Ferdi Kadioglu is excited at the prospect of going up against the country of his birth, but suspended Orkun Kokcu will miss the experience.

Arnhem-born Kadioglu, 24, was the standout player for the Turks against Austria, covering a distance of 12.2km during the match. He had the most touches (71) and won the most duels (10) and tackles (six).

He said: “The Netherlands must certainly be afraid of us, if you look at how much energy we put into a match. We also created dangerous chances and we played well defensively. We fought super hard. We also have the 12th man with the fans.”

The Turks, meanwhile, should be wary of Dutch attacker Cody Gakpo, who bagged a goal and an assist in their 3-0 last-16 win over Romania to take his tally to three goals and an assist in Germany.

Half of the forward’s 12 goals for his country have come at major tournaments, with three at World Cup 2022.

Former Oranje striker Pierre van Hooijdonk told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “Gakpo is our star. In all facets of being a professional, he is an example to everyone.”

Fellow former international Rafael van der Vaart added: “There are very few players in the world, when he dribbles towards you, that you as a defender actually s**t your pants. You have that with him.” REUTERS, AFP