On the evening of the 2nd local time in Leipzig, Germany, during the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Turkey and Austria, Turkish central defender Merih Demiral (26‧Altahli) scored a goal in the 14th minute of the second half and celebrated by making a wolf-shaped hand gesture. This celebration caused diplomatic tensions after the game.
According to reports from AP and The Guardian, in addition to scoring a goal just 57 seconds into the match, Demiral scored a header in the 14th minute of the second half. After scoring, Demiral raised both arms, formed a ‘wolf shape’ with his hands, and made a hand gesture where his thumb, index, and ring fingers were brought together while the rest of his fingers were straight, resembling a wolf’s profile. This hand gesture is known as the greeting of the extreme nationalist group ‘Grey Wolves’ in Europe.
The ‘Grey Wolves’ originated as a youth group of the Turkish nationalist movement party (MHP) in the 1960s. They define other ethnic groups such as the Kurdish and Jewish populations as enemies, excluding the Turkish mainstream population. The group has been accused of engaging in violent activities against leftist organizations for years, leading to its ban in France. Austria also prohibited the ‘Grey Wolves’ salute demonstrated by Demiral. While this hand gesture is not yet banned in Germany, German authorities are monitoring the activities of an estimated 12,000 members of the ‘Grey Wolves’.
Following the match, there have been calls from German politicians for disciplinary action against Demiral. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that there is no place for symbols of far-right extremism from Turkey in their stadiums, and using the Euro tournament as a platform for racial discrimination is unacceptable. Turkish-German politician Sema Ozdemir, the federal minister, also criticized Demiral’s hand gesture as representing right-wing extremism, terrorism, and fascism.
UEFA has initiated an investigation into Demiral’s ‘inappropriate behavior’. In response, the Turkish political sphere has expressed opposition. From the Turkish perspective, the wolf gesture is not necessarily a symbol of far-right extremism.
The Turkish ethnicity reveres the wolf as a sacred symbol dating back to their experiences seeking refuge during hardships in Central Asia, viewing the wolf as a guide to safety. It is considered a cultural and nationalistic symbol.
Turkey’s presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin stated that they cannot accept UEFA’s investigation, and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially protested to the German ambassador, accusing Germany of politically investigating the use of historical and cultural symbols, claiming that the German reaction to Demiral is fueled by xenophobia.
Demiral defended his actions, stating that his hand gesture was an expression of national pride and devoid of hidden political messages. He mentioned in a post-match interview that being a Turk makes him very proud and that he made the gesture after scoring the second goal because he felt strongly about it, expressing hope for more opportunities to make the same gesture in the future, calling it a “perfectly normal action.”
(Source: Chosun Ilbo article)