Athlete Sparks Fierce Backlash with Controversial Goal Celebration

With the knockout stages of Euro 2024 in full swing, Turkish defender Merih Demiral is receiving a ton of criticism after displaying a hand sign linked to the extremist right-wing nationalist group the 'Grey Wolves' as a goal celebration during his country's win over Austria in the round of 16. Rick Strom breaks it down. Give us your thoughts in the comments below!

Rick Strom

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[tytsports]

UPDATE: He has been suspended 2 matches.


-rick

[ozguroge]

The grey wolve actually refers to thousands of years old Turkic mythology of "Asena", whether the grey wolf gesture is sometimes used by other organizations doesn't erase the origin and other uses of that symbol, please don't see it as a evil symbol.

[BassiNakanuku]

Weird of Germany to complain while they are supporting Israeli genocide in Gaza😂

[chriswerth]

Oh, cmon... this is not a nazi salute.
You meight not like his gesticures. But you gotta accept em. Because, they are not against the law... not even in Germany.

[hz.corona]

I am a leftist Turk and against right-wing political parties in Turkiye, however, nationalist in Turkiye is not same thing with Europe, for example, in Turkiye, nationalist party you associated with the hand gesture have members and leaders with Kurdish and other minority roots. Secondly, this hand gesture might be used by a party or not, but another person uses it, this does not mean that person supports that political party necessarily. I guess Hitler was listening music, if i listen same song with Hitler, do I become German nationalist?

[xexzy]

wolf sign is a turkic thing, not only for turkish people.

[laserresal]

For everyone who doesn’t want to follow the herd and live like a sheep 🐑 here is some real&inside information:

The Bozkurt-sign is a sign of a grey wolf wich was holy/sacred in Turkic/Mongolian/Tibetian mythology and also a national symbol since centuries.
That’s it.
Everybody who is a Turk uses this sign worldwide 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[YA-hmzy]

Germany who have criminalised pro Palestine protest against genocide are ones to talk.

[okanfx]

French has a fucking Rooster, Turks has the Grey Wolf as their historical symbol.

[allienmecaca]

As a Turk, I consider myself as a social democrat and never voted for any right-wing party in my life, and I too, consider the wolf as a symbol of Turkish national identity.
Although the sign has been extensively used by right wingers for the last couple of decades, saying that Demiral made the sign because of this connection, especially after he clearly explained himself in the press conference saying, "I'm proud of my nationality", is outright hostility against the Turks.

[Ashina]

The sign is from a Turkish mythology but has been used by many groups. Assigning it to one particular group is as simple as assigning the German eagle to N*zis

[at]

This is not a news it’s a BS. It’s a gray wolf than the as Rooster for France and Lions for England and Bear for Russians wolves is the same for Turks.

[baturvardar]

grey wolf symbol is not a nazi salute ffs. it's the symbol of all turkic nations on the world. like turkey, azerbaijan, kazakhstan etc. few exteremists can't make an entire culture "far right"

[Altaiposting]

This hand sign represents the wolf. The wolf has an important place in Turkish mythology and no, this is not like a Nazi salute. This actor is not a racist.

[ejdermengov]

grey wolf gesture is associated with Turkish culture, history and identity and legends. It didn't created by far right organizations but used. What the eagle is for the Americans, the rooster for the French, the lion for the Iranians, the gray wolf is for the Turks. You are trying to over-politicize this incident, overshadow the success of the Turks and make black propaganda. As much as you are brave enough to talk about the fabricated Armenian genocide, you should also be brave enough to say that the Armenian state archives are hidden from the world public opinion.

[alryrasyiedpratama]

double standards not only in fifa but also uefa,
FIFA and UEFA ban Russia for war with Ukraine
Meanwhile, Israel committed genocide but FIFA still opened the way

[renev]

The Grey Wolves (Turkish: Bozkurtlar), [officially known by the short name Idealist Hearths is a Turkish far-right political movement and the youth wing of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).Commonly described as ultra-nationalist, neo-fascist, Islamo-nationalist and racist,

[manazna]

There is no way this guy isn't vegan

[alibak]

Grey wolf is the symbol of 250 million Turkic speaking people from Adriatic sea to China.

[yusufpolatkesen]

The wolf is the symbol of Turks, making that gesture is a way to greet the Turkic world.
No need to sensationalise or begin a smear campaign against Turks.