UEFA investigating Turkish defender Merih Demiral's Grey Wolves sign

ANKARA

European football's governing body said on Wednesday that it has launched an investigation over the Grey Wolves sign given by Turkish defender Merih Demiral during Tuesday's EURO 2024 clash between Austria and Türkiye.

Demiral made a gesture, the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers, as part of his goal celebration in Türkiye's stunning 2-1 win over Austria in the last-16 of Euro 2024.

A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector was appointed "in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations in relation to the alleged inappropriate behavior," the statement added.

Türkiye’s reaction to disciplinary investigation

Following this, Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the UEFA's decision to launch a disciplinary investigation against Demiral.

In a statement, the ministry described UEFA's actions as "unacceptable."

“Moreover, the report published by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in September 2023 emphasized that the 'grey wolf' sign can not necessarily be associated with right-wing extremism. The 'grey wolf' sign is also not a banned symbol in Germany. Under these circumstances, the reactions shown by the German authorities to Mr. Demiral can themselves be considered xenophobic,” it said.

“We condemn the politically motivated reactions to the use of a historical and cultural symbol as part of a goal celebration in a way that does not target anyone,” it stressed.

Türkiye summoned German ambassador

Speaking about the incident, Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a post on X that "The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums."

Türkiye summoned German Ambassador to Ankara Jurgen Schulz after Faeser's statement, according to diplomatic sources.

The spokesman for Türkiye's Justice and Development (AK) Party, Omer Celik, said Faeser’s comments and UEFA’s investigation are “unacceptable.”

“It would be more appropriate for those looking for racism and fascism to focus on the recent election results in different European countries,” Celik wrote on X.

Demiral brought victory to the Crescent-Stars with two goals in the Round of 16 clash on Tuesday, which ended 2-1.

Türkiye on Saturday will face the Netherlands in the EURO 2024 quarterfinal match.