Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been handed a two-match ban for his prohibited gesture during the win over Austria – ruling him out of the quarter-finals and semi-finals at Euro 2024.
Demiral was his country’s hero as he scored twice to secure Turkey’s 2-1 win over Austria in their last 16 clash on Tuesday.
It set up a quarter-final tie against the Netherlands on Saturday which he will now miss.
The 26-year-old will also miss the semi-finals next week should Turkey reach that stage – where England or Switzerland will be waiting.
Demiral celebrated his second goal by making a ‘wolf’ gesture with his fingers.
The gesture in question is associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group closely linked to Turkey’s ruling party, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The Grey Wolves salute is banned in Austria and is punishable by a fine of up to €4,000 (£3,390).
Uefa have judged Demiral’s celebration to have ‘violated basic rules of decent conduct’ and ‘bringing the sport of football into disrepute’.
Uefa said in a statement: ‘The Appeals Body has decided to suspend Turkish Football Federation player Merih Demiral, for a total of two (2) UEFA representative team competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible, 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.’
Demiral, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, revealed after the game the celebration had been pre-planned.
‘I had a goal celebration in mind, which I did,’ said Demiral.
‘I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it.’
Jude Bellingham meanwhile has been cleared to play in England’s quarter-final against Switzerland after he was given a suspended one-match ban for his gesture made after his last 16 goal against Slovakia.
The Real Madrid star has also been fined €30,000.
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