Turkey's Demiral to be handed two-match ban for nationalist gesture

UEFA sanctions Merih Demiral. 'Bild' has announced that the Turkey centre-back will miss out against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. The reason? His wolf gesture in celebration of his second goal against Austria.

The defender's gesture was an alleged hidden message to the 'Grey Wolves' movement. This ultra-nationalist movement promotes the historical supremacy of the Ottomans. It was even radically banned by the French government years ago.

Merih Demiral will also miss out on Vincenzo Montella's side possible semi-finals of Euro 2024. Should the Netherlands be knocked out, they would meet the winner of the England-Switzerland clash.

In the best-case scenario, Turkey's hero could be back in the final on 14th July at 21:00 CEST at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Until then, he will have to cheer on his team-mates away from the pitch.

 

July 4, 2024