Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Merih Demiral
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "It is unacceptable for UEFA to launch a disciplinary investigation into our national football player Merih Demiral."
İHA
In a written statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated: "It is unacceptable for UEFA to launch a disciplinary investigation into our national football player Merih Demiral following the football match played yesterday (July 2) between our National Football Team and the Austrian National Football Team as part of the 2024 European Football Championship.
On the other hand, while the report published by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in September 2023 emphasized that not everyone who makes the 'wolf' sign can be characterized as a far-right extremist, and the 'wolf' sign is not a banned symbol in Germany, the reactions shown by German authorities toward Mr. Demiral are considered to be xenophobic in themselves," the statement read.
The statement added, "We condemn the politically motivated reactions to the use of a historical and cultural symbol during a celebration at a sports event in a way that does not target anyone."