Turkey’s Merih Demiral is under hot waters for his celebration against Austria during Euro 2024 Round of 16 match which was played at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Tuesday.
Turkey defeated Austria 2-1 with a brace from Demiral and qualified for the quarter-finals but the 26-year-old celebration became the headline after the match.
Demiral celebrated his second goal with a 'wolf salute', which is banned in Austria and France as it is a gesture linked with the far-right extremist group linked with a political party in Turkey.
The defender confirmed that the celebration was pre-planned after the match and the UEFA is into it.
"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."
Demiral also posted a photo of the celebration on his X, formerly Twitter, account with the caption: “How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!"
UEFA has now opened an investigation in accordance with Article 31(4) in relation to the "alleged inappropriate behaviour" of Demiral.
If he is found guilty, he could be suspended for Turkey’s quarter-final against the Netherlands which will be played on Saturday.
Earlier, UEFA also opened an investigation after England’s Jude Bellingham made an inappropriate gesture during Round of 16 match against Slovakia.
England were on the verge of elimination from the tournament but Bellingham scored an overhead kick goal which took the game into extra time.
After his equaliser,Bellingham made a gesture in the direction of Slovakia’s bench which sparked a debate among fans as the laws indicate that such “obscene gesture” or “offensive insulting action” is punishable by a red card and a disciplinary action cannot be ruled out by UEFA.