Soccer Player Receives 2-Game Suspension For His Celebration
07/05/2024 01:01 PM
The Turkish national soccer team is celebrating after defeating Austria to advance to the quarterfinals of this year's European Championship, but one player won't be with them for the next two games.
UEFA has suspended Turkish defender Merih Demiral for two games after his post-goal celebration against Austria.
The governing body says that Demiral was suspended "for failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute."
After scoring his second goal, Demiral used a hand sign that has been associated with Turkish ultranationalist organisation Ulku Ocaklari, or the "Gray Wolves."
Demiral and other players have been previously reprimanded for using hand gestures associated with the group, and the gestures were seen as controversial following Turkey's military operation in Syria back in 2019.
"The symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums," said German interior minister Nancy Faeser after the game and Demiral's celebration.
This year's Euros are being held in Germany, featuring stadiums all over the country. Turkey's next game against the Netherlands tomorrow is set to be played in Berlin.
"Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih showed his excitement with that gesture," said controversial Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey's vice president Cevdet Yilmaz said that the ban should be rescinded, claiming that "the beauty and excitement of football should not be overshadowed with political decisions."
Turkey, without Demiral, will face the Netherlands for a spot in the semifinals on Saturday at 3 PM ET.
Related: European Soccer Star Being Investigated For Far-Right Goal Celebration
