UEFA Suspends Turkey's Demiral Over 'Wolf Salute'

Facts

• The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has suspended Turkish defender Merih Demiral for two games over his 'wolf salute' celebration against Austria at the European Championship (EURO).¹
• Demiral has been banned for allegedly disrupting the sport, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, and using the tournament 'for manifestations of a non-sporting nature.'²
• This comes after UEFA on Wednesday opened a disciplinary investigation into Demiral for 'alleged inappropriate behavior' in Turkey's 2-1 round of 16 win at the EURO on Tuesday.³
• Demiral's gesture on the field triggered an escalating diplomatic spat between Germany and Turkey, with both countries summoning each other's ambassadors.⁴
• The 'wolf salute,' a symbol of Turkey's right-wing Gray Wolves organization, is banned in Austria but not in [EURO host country] Germany.⁵
• UEFA has also handed a two-game ban to Albania's Mirlind Daku for leading supporters in offensive chants, and an investigation has been underway into England's Jude Bellingham over a lewd gesture.⁶

Sources: ¹Sporting News Canada, ²Associated Press, ³CNN, ⁴POLITICO, ⁵Dw.Com and ⁶Independent.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Inews.Co.Uk. Demiral must be punished for celebrating his goal by making a gesture linked to the ultranationalist Gray Wolves, as the EURO is no place to promote fascism, racism, and violence. After all, given the importance of the game and its audience, his actions were far worse than those of Daku.
• Narrative B, as provided by Daily Sabah. Those performing the 'wolf salute' don't necessarily support the political ideology. It's outrageous that UEFA has decided to side with countries hostile to the Turkish people and Turkey itself, putting Demiral under investigation for a gesture that simply expresses his Turkish identity.

Predictions