On Thursday, Germany called in Turkey's ambassador to Berlin amidst a growing diplomatic dispute that began after Turkish football player Merih Demiral allegedly performed an ultra-nationalist gesture during his team's victory against Austria in Euro 2024.
"The Turkish ambassador was summoned this morning," stated the German foreign ministry, following Turkey's similar move with the German envoy in Ankara. Demiral's gesture, made after scoring his second goal in Turkey's 2-1 win over Austria, is linked to the Turkish ultra-nationalist group Grey Wolves. This led UEFA to investigate for "inappropriate behavior" and drew criticism from German officials, which Ankara quickly labeled as "xenophobia."
Germany's Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, cautioned that "the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums" and condemned the use of the European football championships as a platform for racism as "completely unacceptable."
