Turkish player Demiral faces criticism in Austrian media for ‘wolf salute’ celebration

Merih Demiral scored twice as Türkiye advanced to the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 with a thrilling 2-1 win over Austria on Tuesday. The Turkish defender gave his side a perfect start, scoring after just 57 seconds by blasting home from close range after a chaotic sequence in the Austria box. Demiral secured his second goal with a powerful header shortly before the hour mark.

Controversial goal celebration

However, Demiral’s goal celebration sparked a significant backlash in the Austrian media. German news site ASB Zeitung criticized his actions, stating, “Ugly scenes in Austria versus Türkiye quarter-final. Turkish international Demiral celebrates goal with fascist wolf salute.”

‘Fascist wolf salute’

Austrian media reported on the controversy involving Merih Demiral, who performed the wolf’s salute, a gesture associated with the right-wing Grey Wolves, after scoring his second goal at Leipzig Stadium on Tuesday evening.

ASB Zwickau also stated that in Germany, supporters of the right-wing Ulkucu Movement are labeled as such by the Constitutional Protection Agency. In Türkiye, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) represents this movement and is an alliance partner of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.

‘Proud to be Turkish’

Demiral, the 26-year-old footballer, expressing his joy after scoring two goals, said: “I had a specific celebration in mind, something connected to my Turkish identity. I am incredibly proud to be Turkish, and I felt that pride deeply after scoring. I wanted to express that, and I’m very happy I did. Our fans are proud of us. I saw them doing the gesture in the stands, and it made me want to do it even more. I am very happy.”

Who are the Grey Wolves?

Grey Wolves is the informal name of the nationalist organization Ulku Ocaklari (Idealist Hearths), founded in the 1960s by MHP’s founder Alparslan Turkes.

Ulku Ocaklari is often referred to as MHP’s youth or street movement. MHP is a coalition partner in Turkish governments and is currently allied with the AK Party.

Ideologically, both organizations supported pan-Turkism, which emphasizes unity between the world’s Turkic nations.

This gesture is banned in France and Austria. Austria implemented the ban in March 2019 after its parliament passed a law prohibiting symbols of “extremist organizations” to prevent terror propaganda.

Türkiye reacts to ban

In February 2019, Türkiye condemned Austria’s ban on the Grey Wolves salute. The Turkish Foreign Ministry urged Austria to “correct this mistake,” stating that the ban “deeply offends bilateral relations between Türkiye and Austria.”

The ministry argued that the ban equates the symbol of a legal political party in Türkiye with that of the PKK, a recognized terrorist organization.

The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has caused the deaths of around 40,000 people, including women and children, in its 30-year campaign against Türkiye.