UEFA launches investigation into Merih Demiral

Turkey defeated Austria 2-1 in the EURO 2024 Round of 16 last night with goals from Merih Demiral.

UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation into Demiral, who made a "Grey Wolf" gesture after his goal.

If the investigation results in a penalty, there is a risk that Demiral will not be able to play in the quarter-final match against the Netherlands.

UEFA, which considers the gesture made by Merih to greet the stands with a "Grey Wolf Salute" at the end of the match to be political, has initiated a disciplinary investigation.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM MERIH

Merih Demiral said after making the "Grey Wolf" salute: "My way of celebrating (the Grey Wolf salute) has to do with my Turkish identity. That is why I made this gesture. I also saw people in the stadium making this gesture. There is no hidden message. We are all Turks, I am proud to be Turkish, and that is the purpose of this salute. I just wanted to show how happy and proud I am. I hope I will have more opportunities to make this gesture."

SUPPORT FROM MHP LEADER BAHÇELİ

Following UEFA's decision to launch an investigation, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli shared a post on X, expressing his support for Demiral.

Bahçeli stated the following:

"The fact that our son Merih Demiral, who won the appreciation and rightful praise of our nation with the goal he scored and the football he played last night, shared his goal celebration with a Grey Wolf gesture has apparently disturbed many sick circles both inside and outside our country, and has thus become an excuse for different pursuits and statements. In addition to domestic circles whose hostility toward Turks and Turkey is obvious, UEFA's participation in this caravan of evil is extremely biased and wrong. The Grey Wolf gesture made by our son Merih after finding the back of the net is a message from the Turkish nation to the world, and UEFA's launch of an investigation in this context is both intentional and a waystation for the chain of provocations that have been dangerously gaining ground in recent days. While I condemn the investigation launched by UEFA, it is a national necessity for everyone, for all our people, to act with common sense and composure so that our struggle on the field is not wasted at the negotiating table. It is our common responsibility not to fall for the provocations and harassment of opportunists who want to block our country's path at every opportunity and cloud our environment of domestic peace and tranquility."