![German Interior Minister condemns Turkish defender for using Euro 2024 as ‘platform for racism’ as UEFA opens investigation](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/ap24184798237252.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill)
German Interior Minister condemns Turkish defender for using Euro 2024 as ‘platform for racism’ as UEFA opens investigation
CNN
The German Interior Minister has condemned the celebrations of Turkish defender Merih Demiral following Turkey’s win against Austria at the European Championship on Tuesday.
The German Interior Minister has condemned the celebrations of Turkish defender Merih Demiral following Turkey’s win against Austria at the European Championship on Tuesday. Demiral scored twice in Turkey’s 2-1 round of 16 victory and celebrated by making a gesture known as the “wolf salute,” which is associated with the Turkish right-wing extremist group “Grey Wolves.” “The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums,” said Germany’s German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday, adding that the group is under surveillance in Germany. “Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable. We expect UEFA to investigate the case and consider sanctions.” Following the win, Demiral posted a picture of himself making the gesture on X. “Happy is one who calls themselves a Turk,” the defender captioned the post.