Turkey’s Demiral given two-game ban over celebration

Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been given a two-match ban for making an ultra-nationalist salute during his country’s Euro 2024 win against Austria.

Demiral, 26, scored both Turkey’s goals as they beat Austria 2-1 to earn a quarter-final spot against the Netherlands.

The Al-Ahli defender celebrated his second goal with a ‘wolf salute’, a gesture associated with the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves that is linked with Turkey’s ruling coalition party the National Movement Party.

Demiral said the salute, which is banned in Austria and France, was pre-planned in case he scored.

He will miss Turkey’s quarter-final clash with Netherlands on Saturday night.

Should Turkey win that, Demiral’s ban will also see him miss the semi-finals against either England or Switzerland, should Turkey get there.