UEFA opens an investigation after the controversial conduct of Turk Merih Demiral – Libération

2024-07-03 14:58:34

Euro football 2024dossier

UEFA announced this Wednesday, July 3, that it is investigating “potential misconduct” of the Turkish defender, who is accused of having received the sign of the Turkish right wing “Grey Wolves” during the round of 16 won by the country – your language. on Tuesday against Austria (2-1). Ankara called the German ambassador.

Two decisive goals, leading the debate. Merih Demiral did more than light on Tuesday, on the lawn of the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig during the victory of Turkey at the expense of Austria, during the last round of 16 of this German Euro.

The author of a double save as well as a quarter-final, the central defender of the Saudi club Al-Ahli FC was involved in a controversial celebration on one of his two goals. Merih Demiral himself posted on his own “The Moral and Disciplinary Examiner” named immediately, and more information on this issue will follow, UEFA said in its press release.

“Unacceptable”

The issue has already experienced political repercussions. “We called the German ambassador in Ankara to the Foreign Office on this”said a Turkish diplomatic source on condition of anonymity, while Demiral’s leadership drew criticism from the German political party.

“The symbol of Turkish right-wing terrorists has no place in our stadiumsreact on X Nancy Faeser, the German Minister of the Interior. Using Euro football as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable. We are waiting for UEFA to investigate the matter and consider sanctions. “

Merih Demiral follows a posted photo of the subject of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: “Happy is he who says “I am a Turk”. The person concerned did not speak to the media after the match, he is sure that he wants to discuss “pride of being turkey”. “I’m very happy to have done it [cette célébration], all our supporters are proud of us. I’ve seen some of them do it, so I want to do it even more. “he added.

Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak presented the controversial photo on X, writing “we all said”, a comment accompanied by the Turkish flag. The “Gray Wolves”, the paramilitary branch of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), is a partner of President Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), the ruling party. In the quarter finals of the Euros, Turkey will face the Netherlands on Saturday (9 pm) in Berlin. There is a slight chance that Merih Demiral is not one of them.