Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated the Turkish nationwide crew on its profitable efficiency on the European Soccer Championship, reaching the 1/4 finals and thus turning into one of many 8 strongest groups on the continent. “I particularly congratulate Merich Demiral, who scored 2 objectives within the 1/8 finals (towards the Austrian nationwide crew) and was acknowledged as one of the best participant of the match. The punishment meted out to Merich is unfair, and I strongly condemn it. I want the Turkish nationwide crew victory within the match towards the Netherlands! Lengthy reside the Turkic world!”, Aliyev wrote on his official account on the social community “X”.

UEFA disqualified Damiral for a gesture after scoring a aim, which was thought to be a “greeting to the far-right Turkish group Grey Wolves.” The Turkish authorities condemned the punishment of the soccer participant. The “grey Wolf” was thought of totems by the traditional Turks and it’s undoubtedly flawed to affiliate a soccer participant’s gesture with political content material, critics of the UEFA determination say.

The footballer himself later defined the gesture of the “Grey Wolves” proven by him with glee on the victory and pleasure for his nation. In Türkiye, the pursuits of the “Gray Wolves” are represented by the right-wing Nationalist Motion Get together (MHP). In Germany, the place the European Championship is going down, neither this group itself nor its gesture is prohibited.