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UEFA has suspended Turkish player Merih Demiral for two games due to a nationalistic gesture made at Euro 2024.
The controversial hand gesture during the European Championship has sparked a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and host nation Germany.
As a result of the suspension, Demiral will miss the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands and potentially the semifinal if Turkey advances.
The Turkish Football Federation, along with government officials, criticized the decision but stated that they cannot appeal as it falls below the three-game threshold.
The leader of Turkey's nationalist party has called for the team to boycott the upcoming game and return home unless UEFA reverses its "shameful decision."
Demiral's gesture, associated with the Gray Wolves, a Turkish ultra-nationalist organization, was defended by him as an expression of national pride. However, German officials labeled it as "racism" and symbolic of "terror, fascism," leading to tensions between the two nations.
Prior to the ban, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defended Demiral's actions as an expression of "excitement" after scoring a goal.
UEFA justified the suspension by stating that Demiral's actions violated the principles of conduct, brought non-sporting manifestations into sports events, and tarnished the sport of football.
