Turkey's Demiral reportedly banned from Dutch Euro match over extreme right salute

Turkish footballer Merih Demiral will be banned from two European Championship matches because of a controversial gesture he made after scoring a goal in his last match in Leipzig, Germany, sources close to UEFA told German newspaper Bild. The decision would mean the star center-back would be unavailable in the Saturday quarterfinal between Turkey and the Netherlands. Turkish football association TFF denied the report on Thursday night.

The defender was accused of raising his arms and pointing his fingers in a gesture tied to Ülkü Ocakları, or Grey Wolves, an extremist organization in Turkey. The far-right ultra-nationalist group is considered to be a terrorist organization by the European Union that has been linked to the ongoing violence targeting Kurdish people for 45 years, as well as attacks on ethnic minority Armenians and Greeks.

Sources told Bild that a UEFA disciplinary investigation in the matter determined Demiral will be suspended for two matches because political slogans and messages are banned on and off the field during the Euro. That means the Demiral will not be available when his team plays Oranje at 9 p.m., and also if Turkey reaches the semifinals.

The TFF said soon after the Bild article was published that it was premature and inaccurate. The football association said the newspaper's story "does not reflect the truth. We have until tomorrow morning to defend ourselves."

Demiral, who plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, scored after just 57 seconds to put his team ahead of Austria on Tuesday. It was the fastest goal scored in a Euro knockout stage match. His second goal came nearly 15 minutes after the break, with Austria pulling one back soon after. The match ended with a 2-1 scoreline.

It was after Demiral's second goal that he raised his hands in a manner associated with the neofascist organization. The group is also rumored to have organized and perpetrated the shooting of Pope John Paul II. Conspiratorial anti-Semitic, the neo-fascist and xenophobic organization focuses hatred towards individuals and groups with a belief system other than Islam.

“I am very proud because I am Turkish. So after the goal, I felt strongly [about it], and I wanted to do it. And I am very happy that I did it,” said Demiral about the salute after the match.

Germany confirmed that it the Grey Wolves is on a government watch list, and has been carrying out surveillance operations focused on the organization for years. "The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums," said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on X. "Using the European Football Championship as a platform for racism is completely unacceptable. We expect UEFA to investigate the case and consider sanctions."

UEFA did confirm it opened the investigation into the match in Leipzig on Wednesday "in relation to the alleged inappropriate behaviour of the Turkish Football Federation player, Merih Demiral. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course."

The European football association did not release a statement about Demiral on Thursday night. UEFA already handed Arlind Daku a two-match ban during the group stage of the tournament. The Albanian striker was accused of riling his fans up and leading them in singing nationalist chants during the match against Croatia.