what happened?
Merih Demiral made the “Grey Wolf” sign to the crowd after scoring a goal in Turkey’s 2-1 win over Austria to reach the quarter-finals. There was backlash against Demiral’s use of the Ulu Köcaklal symbol, a controversial name banned in Europe because of its association with violence and extreme nationalism.
Demiral defended himself, saying, “It’s a question of Turkishness. In Turkey we are all Turkish and we are proud to be Turkish.” UEFA has opened an investigation into Demiral.
The Foreign Ministry said the UEFA investigation was unacceptable and that the German authorities’ approach to Demiral was “tinged with xenophobia.”
Regarding Merih Demiral’s “Grey Wolf” symbol, German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said: “Signs of Turkish extremists have no place in our stadiums. It is unacceptable to use the European football championship as a platform for racism. We expect UEFA to investigate the incident and consider sanctions.”
Minister Feser also shared German intelligence analysis of the German Idealist movement, saying, “Our country’s security forces are closely monitoring Turkish far-right extremists in Germany. The ‘Grey Wolves’ are being monitored by the Constitutional Defence Group,” he said.
Turkey’s foreign ministry acted on Fesser’s words, summoning the German ambassador in Ankara to its offices, where it said in a statement that “while the (Grey Wolf) sign is not a banned symbol in Germany, the reaction shown to Demiral by the German authorities themselves can be considered xenophobic.”
In response, the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Turkish ambassador to Berlin.
Click – TFF presents Merih Demiral’s defence to UEFA
Click – MHP’s response to Merih Demiral’s disciplinary action: UEFA clearly committed a hate crime and showed disrespect towards the Turkish nation
Click – The joy of the “Grey Wolves” with goal-holder Merih Demiral against Austria
Click – UEFA launches investigation into Merih Demiral
Click – Merih Demiral’s statement on the “Bozkurt” sign: No message
Click | Meri Demiral’s statement from TFF!
