The two-match ban against Turkey's Merih Demiral following the wolf salute is causing an uproar on social media. The hashtag #BeFairUEFA was one of the top trends on the portal X.
Numerous users were outraged at what they saw as a lack of proportionality between the ban against Demiral and the punishment for Jude Bellingham. The England international had been fined 30,000 euros and given a one-match suspended ban by the European Football Union after making an obscene gesture.
"We condemn UEFA's unjust and biased decision, which has no legal basis and is completely political in our opinion," wrote Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak on X. "We will continue to demand our rights through legal means against the double standards applied to our country and our national player Merih Demiral. We believe in our footballers. They will give the necessary response on the green pitch."
The cheer of the kick-off
Demiral had formed the hand sign and symbol of the "gray wolves" with both hands after his second goal in Leipzig in the 2-1 win against Austria in the round of 16, causing much outrage. Supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ülkücü movement" are referred to as "gray wolves".
Bellingham's goal celebration after his equalizer in the round of 16 against Slovakia (2:1 n.V.) also caused controversy. The midfielder was accused of making an obscene gesture towards his opponent's bench by grabbing his crotch.
SDA
