Turkish football star's controversial salute ignites Euro 2024 scandal
Merih Demiral caused outrage after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 in the match against Austria. He showed the so-called "wolf salute" with his fingers, after which UEFA issued an official statement. Turkish politicians have spoken out on this matter. Their words leave no doubt.
The Turkish national team is the absolute revelation of this year's European Championship. The Crescent Stars' coach, Vincenzo Montella, has led his players to the quarter-finals and is close to repeating the feat of Fatih Terim from 2008, when Turkey played in the Euro semi-finals.
In the round of 16, they faced another dark horse of the tournament, Austria. Ralf Rangnick's team sensationally won Group D, where they competed against the Netherlands, France, and Poland, and were considered favourites in the match against the Turks. Ultimately, they lost 2-1 after two goals by defender Merih Demiral.
The second goal for the Italian coach's team came in the 59th minute after a header. The 26-year-old defender caused a big scandal, which is being talked about all over Europe. He raised his hands during the celebration, making the so-called "wolf salute." It is an extremely right-wing, anti-Semitic, and racist symbol. A scandal erupted on a European scale.
UEFA launched an investigation into Merih Demiral. Politicians outraged
Merih Demiral's gesture received an immediate reaction from UEFA. The authorities launched an investigation to determine the 26-year-old’s intentions. An official statement was issued.
In connection with the round of 16 match of the UEFA European Championship 2024 between Austria and Turkey, played on July 2, 2024, in Leipzig, Germany, an investigation has been launched in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations concerning the alleged inappropriate conduct of the player of the Turkish Football Federation, Merih Demiral. Further information regarding this matter will be provided in due time, the UEFA statement reads.
The matter did not go unnoticed in the Turkish media. UEFA's reaction sparked significant interest among local politicians. There were numerous posts on the platform X, but one particularly stands out. It was authored by the deputy chairman of the Istanbul AK Party province and head of social policy, Mehmet Fatih Serdar. In his opinion, UEFA’s decision is unacceptable.
Defining the goal celebration of our national football player Merih Demiral after scoring two goals in the match against Austria as "inappropriate behaviour" and launching an investigation against him by UEFA is an unacceptable and immense injustice, he wrote.
