Wolf salute case

Ms. Demiral: “Has nothing to do with racism!”

Heidi Demiral (left) wants to recognize anything but a racist in her husband. Will that convince UEFA?(Bild: AFP/APA/Ronny HARTMANN, Instagram.com/heidilushtaku_)

"This has nothing to do with racism or fascism," said Heidi Demiral, wife of the currently much-maligned Turkey defender Merih. Tolerance, diversity and love are top priorities in her family, she said in defense of her husband via an Insta story.

These are values that she and her husband want to pass on to their two children. Why does she feel the need to take to the social media field on her husband's behalf? He, the double goal scorer against Austria, is currently under fire for celebrating his two goals against Red-White-Red with the "wolf salute", a gesture classified as right-wing extremist. With consequences. Early on Friday afternoon, UEFA made public what had been rumored since Thursday: Demiral was banned for two matches.

Eagle, bear and wolf
Much to the incomprehension of Heidi Demiral, his wife. In an international tournament for national teams, it is "more than natural" to make use of such a gesture of jubilation. After all: "Animals have always been used to represent nations - such as the eagle for America or the bear for Russia. The wolf is the national symbol for Turkey." And: "This has nothing to do with racism or fascism."

(Bild: Instagram.com/heidilushtaku_)

Two-match ban?
UEFA apparently saw it differently. As early as Thursday, the media announced that Demiral would be banned for two matches. Whereupon the Turkish association spoke out and immediately denied it. Especially as the Turks had until this morning to submit their views to UEFA.

Gray wolf?
The Turkish association will presumably have done everything in its power to refute the version that Demiral made the "Gray Wolves" salute. The supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ülkücü Movement", which is monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany, are referred to as "Gray Wolves".

Ultimately, the Turkish association's efforts were apparently unsuccessful. Demiral's two-match ban has been official since Friday afternoon.