The Turkish player, Merih Demiral, first became the hero of the match when he decided the EC match against Austria with his two goals and managed to take Turkey further in the tournament.
But then came the controversial goal gesture after the second goals where he shaped his hands into “wolves”, a sign linked to the Turkish far-right organization Gray Wolves.
Now the European Union, Uefa, is starting an investigation against the player. The association believes that the gesture was inappropriate.
– It confirms that Uefa correctly perceives this as a radical right-wing political symbol, says Turkey expert Ekim Caglar, who has written books about the influence of politics on Turkish football.
– Then it remains to be seen the outcome, he continues.
In line with previous positions
The goal gesture has been in line with the player’s previous stances, according to Caglar.
– Demirel was also one of the players who very actively made military salutes a few years ago when national team players wanted to show sympathy for the Turkish army when Turkey carried out a military attack in northern Syria.
Caglar is not aware of any other national team player making the gesture before.
– On the other hand, there have been other types of nationalist or militaristic expressions, he says.
Illegal in several countries
In Austria, the sign of the gray wolves and the wolf salute have been banned since March 2019. A ban has also been discussed in Germany for several years. In case of repeated offences, the sign can result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros or even a prison sentence of up to six weeks.
Ekim Caglar explains that this symbol is controversial because it is strongly associated with the ultra-nationalist movement in the country. But at the same time partially normalized.
– Not least considering that the largest ultra-nationalist movement that can be linked to this political tradition, the MHP, is part of President Erdogan’s government foundation, he says.
“About my ancestry”
At the press conference after the match, Merih Demiral stated that the goal gesture was about his ancestry.
– I am very happy to have scored two goals and I had a certain goal gesture in mind. I made it. It is about the Turkish identity, Demiral said after the match and continued.
– I am very proud to be Turkish. I felt it fully after the second goal and then it landed in me making that gesture. I’m very glad I did it.
On X, after the match, Demiral has published a picture of himself from the goal celebration, when he is seen making the gesture.
– We deserved this victory. I’m very happy. It is difficult to explain the feelings now, says the defender.
In the quarter-finals of the European Championship, Turkey faces the Netherlands.