Euro 2024: UEFA opens investigation into Turk Merih Demiral after his controversial gesture during the round of 16 against Austria

UEFA launches probe into Demiral’s Gray Wolves salute EPA – HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

UEFA announced on Wednesday that it was opening an investigation into the "potential inappropriate behavior" of Turkish defender Merih Demiral during the round of 16 of Euro-2024 on Tuesday against Austria (2-1), during which he scored twice.

Demiral himself posted on his X account a photo of himself raising his arms to celebrate one of his goals, and making a sign with his hands reminiscent of that of the "Wolves gris", a Turkish far-right group.

Un "ethics and discipline investigator" has been appointed, and further information on this matter will follow, indicates UEFA in its press release.

A controversial publication

"The symbol of Turkish right-wing extremists has nothing to do in our stadiums", reacted on X Nancy Faeser, the German Minister of the Interior.“Using the Euro football championship as a platform for racism is totally unacceptable. We expect UEFA to investigate the case and consider sanctions,”, she added.

Merih Demiral accompanied the posted image with the motto of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: ​​“Blessed is he who says: I am Turkish".

And he told the press after the match that he wanted to evoke "the pride of being Turkish". "I am very happy to have done it (this celebration, editor's note), all our supporters are proud of us. I had seen some of them do it, so I wanted to do it even more,” he added.

Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak shared the controversial photo on X, writing “That says it all”, a comment accompanied by the Turkish flag.

Read also: VIDEO. Euro 2024: Austria came from too far behind to lose to Turkey, who qualify for the quarter-finals

In the quarter-finals of the Euro, Turkey will face the Netherlands on Saturday (9:00 p.m.) in Berlin.