Furious Turkey hit out at UEFA over Merih Demiral ‘wolf salute’ ban as president flies in

Merih Demiral, who scored twice in the win over Austria, was hit with an immediate two-match ban after UEFA found that he had crossed the line with his post-match ‘wolf salute’ in Leipzig

Furious Turkey have hit out at UEFA’s decision to ban last-16 hero Merih Demiral over his controversial celebration – with the fallout threatening to become a diplomatic incident.

Demiral, who scored twice in the win over Austria, was hit with an immediate two-match ban after UEFA found that he had crossed the line with his post-match ‘wolf salute’ in Leipzig. The centre-back will miss the quarter-final with the Netherlands and also the semi-finals should Turkey advance, although the Turkish FA have lodged an appeal.

The ‘wolf salute’ is used by the Grey Wolves, the ultra-nationalist Turkish far-right political movement who are closely linked to Turkey’s ruling coalition party, the Nationalist Movement Party.

However others in Turkey insist that it is simply a symbol of pride in Turkey and Turkishness, with Demiral stating that was what he intended.

UEFA issued a statement saying that they banned Demiral for “failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cancelled his plans in order to attend the quarter-final in Berlin, and both he and the Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs slammed the move, calling it xenophobic and claiming it shows “the trend of prejudice against foreigners is on the rise in some European countries.”

Boss Vincenzo Montella and left-back Ferdi Kadioglu – who arrived 45 minutes late for their pre-match media commitments, blaming a late flight – also hit out at the decision.

Montella said: “We consider this ban unfair. It was not a political gesture. It was interpreted as such, but it was just not properly understood.

“But this will not put a brake on Turkish pride. Actually we will be more passionate, more proud, and I’m sure we’ll all be highly motivated.”

Kadioglu, who was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and singled out his former youth international team-mate Cody Gakpo as the opposition’s key man, said: “I think the celebration of Merih was nothing to do with political stuff.

“He wanted to celebrate with the Turkish fans and the Turkish nation all over the world, and we find it completely unfair. Of course it’s a shame he got this suspension, but somebody else will take his place for this match and do well.”

Anger over the ban is rising in Turkey, with local media accusing Germany of staging a campaign to punish Demiral in order to make a political statement. Around 2.8million people of Turkish origin live in Germany, and they have been one of the best supported teams in the competition.

Speaking to reporters as he boarded a flight, Turkish president Erdogan said: “Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih showed his excitement with that gesture.”

Panathinaikos centre-back Samet Akaydin could come in to the side to replace Demiral having started the tournament in the team, while Montella also didn’t rule out switching to a back three.

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