Mehmet Büyükekşi evaluates the penalty given to Merih: 'A political decision'

The UEFA Disciplinary Committee has handed a 2-match suspension to Merih Demiral due to the 'wolf salute' gesture made during the match the National Team played against Austria in the round of 16 of the 2024 European Championship (EURO 2024).

Speaking about this decision by UEFA, Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükekşi said, "We view the two-match suspension given to our player Merih Demiral by the UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee as an unacceptable, unlawful, and political decision. Despite the fact that there was no mention of a criminal sanction in the report of the UEFA delegate on duty at the match, the fact that UEFA appointed an inspector and launched an investigation following statements by certain Western politicians has cast a shadow over the independence of the process and the decision. The gesture our player made during his goal celebration is in no way a political gesture; it is a symbol that Turks have used for centuries to represent Turkishness."

Regarding the penalty, Büyükekşi also stated, "This penalty is absolutely unacceptable in this great organization where our National Football Team, which advanced to the quarterfinals by eliminating Austria in the round of 16 of the Euro 2024 European Football Championship and will play for a spot in the semifinals against the Netherlands tomorrow, is writing history."

"OUR RIGHT TO APPEAL HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM US"

"The injustice of the investigation process that was initiated, the UEFA inspector's report leaked to biased media outlets, and the fact that our 27-page comprehensive defense file, which we prepared meticulously, was not evaluated are also understood from the decision being announced as soon as our defense period ended," said Büyükekşi, adding, "Due to the fact that the path to appeal and application to CAS is closed for penalties under 3 matches, our right to appeal has also been taken away from us with this 2-match suspension. This biased and unjust decision has deeply disappointed our entire nation."

Stating that the penalty given to Merih Demiral is disproportionate, Büyükekşi said, "We are particularly disturbed by the fact that the decision was leaked to certain biased media outlets. Such actions support our suspicions that the process has been dragged into a political platform. Compared to fines and suspended sentences given for much more serious violations, including racist behavior in the stands, this two-match suspension is extremely disproportionate. Unfortunately, these inconsistencies are the strongest indicator that a double standard is being applied against our country."

"WE HAVE MADE OUR JUST DEFENSE IN THE MOST DETAILED AND COMPREHENSIVE MANNER"

Mehmet Büyükekşi further stated, "However, one of the greatest characteristic features of the Great Turkish nation is its ability to become one body in the face of injustice and lawlessness; we rise up against all these injustices not just as the Turkish national team, but as a nation. This has always been the case, and we will prove this to the whole world with our sporting performance at the Berlin stadium tomorrow evening. In these beautiful days when we only want the beauties of football to shine, we have made our just defense in the most detailed and comprehensive manner. However, I am sure that this unjust decision will encourage our passionate fans in Berlin, which we see as our second home, to be more careful than ever against malicious provocations and to stand behind our team as they have done until today."

News Source: 12punto