Euro 2024 scandal: Merih Demiral's controversial goal celebration
Merih Demiral caused an uproar after scoring a goal to make it 2-1 in the match against Austria. He made the so-called "wolf salute" with his fingers, after which UEFA issued an official statement. Turkish politicians have spoken out on this matter, and their words leave no doubt.
4:13 PM EDT, July 3, 2024
The Turkish national team has been the absolute sensation of this year's European Championship. The coach of the "Crescent Stars," Vincenzo Montella, has led his players to the quarterfinals and is close to repeating the feat of Fatih Terim from 2008 when Turkey played in the Euro semifinals.
In the round of 16, they faced another tournament dark horse, Austria. Ralf Rangnick's team sensationally won Group D, where they faced the Netherlands, France, and Poland and were considered favorites against Turkey. Ultimately, they lost 2-1 after two goals by defender Merih Demiral.
The Italian coach's team's second goal came in the 59th minute with a header. The 26-year-old defender caused a huge scandal that is being talked about all over Europe. During his goal celebration, he raised his arms, making the so-called "wolf salute," which is an extremely right-wing, anti-Semitic, and racist symbol. The scandal has erupted on a European scale.
UEFA launched an investigation into Merih Demiral. politicians outraged
Merih Demiral's gesture was met with an immediate reaction from UEFA. The governing body has launched an investigation to determine the 26-year-old's intentions. An official statement was issued.
In connection with the round of 16 match of the UEFA 2024 European Championship between Austria and Turkey, held on July 2, 2024, in Leipzig, Germany, an investigation has been launched in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations in connection with the alleged improper conduct of Turkish Football Federation player Merih Demiral. Further information regarding this matter will be provided in due course - reads the UEFA statement.
The matter did not go unnoticed in the Turkish media either. UEFA's reaction has attracted much interest from local politicians. There were numerous posts on the service X, but one caught particular attention. It was authored by the deputy chairman of Istanbul's AK Party province and head of social policy, Mehmet Fatih Serdar. According to him, UEFA's decision is unacceptable.
Defining the goal celebration of our national player Merih Demiral after scoring two goals in the match against Austria as "improper conduct" and launching an investigation against him by UEFA is an unacceptable and great injustice - he wrote.
