July 04, (THEWILL) – The German government summoned the Turkish ambassador to Berlin on Thursday, escalating a diplomatic row sparked by a Turkish footballer’s controversial gesture during a Euro 2024 match. The incident occurred when Merih Demiral celebrated scoring against Austria with a hand signal associated with an ultra-nationalist group.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the summons in a statement, marking a tit-for-tat response after Turkey called in the German ambassador to Ankara the previous day. The dispute centres on Demiral’s actions following his second goal in Turkey’s 2-1 victory over Austria on Tuesday.
UEFA has launched an investigation into Demiral’s behaviour, which has been linked to the Turkish ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves organisation. The gesture drew swift condemnation from German officials, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stating that “symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums” and denouncing the use of the football championship as a platform for racism.
The Turkish government, however, has dismissed Germany’s reaction as “xenophobia.” This characterisation has further strained relations between the two nations, with both sides now engaging in diplomatic manoeuvres to address the situation.
The Euro 2024 enters its crucial stages in Germany but this incident highlights the delicate balance between sport and politics. It also underscores the potential for international sporting events to become flashpoints for broader geopolitical tensions and why calmer heads must prevail to avoid escalation.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
