Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the punishment received by the national football team defender Merih Demiral following the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match.
The 26-year-old defender, who plays for the Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ahli, scored two goals against Austria in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match (2:1). After his second goal, Demiral made a gesture to the audience, resembling a wolf's snarl and commonly used among Turkish nationalists.
Sabah quotes the head of the state as saying:
Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih (Demiral) showed his excitement with that gesture.
UEFA, after an investigation on July 4, disqualified Demiral for two matches of the championship. Thus, the defender will miss the quarter-final against the Netherlands, scheduled for July 6 in Berlin.
On July 5, it was revealed that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will appeal this decision jointly with the player in the appellate procedure.
For more information read our EURO 2024 Guide!
