Controversial Gesture by Turkish Fans and Player Spurs Diplomatic Tensions at Euro 2024

UEFA suspends Merih Demiral for two matches; Turkish President Erdogan attends quarterfinal against Netherlands amid rising tensions.

Turkish fans displayed a nationalist hand gesture linked to the ultranationalist Gray Wolves group en route to and inside the stadium.
Defender Merih Demiral was banned for two games by UEFA for making the same gesture after scoring in a previous match.
The gesture has caused a diplomatic rift between Turkey and Germany, with accusations of xenophobia and political bias.
German police intervened to prevent mass demonstrations of the gesture, citing its political implications.
Turkish officials and fans defend the gesture as an expression of national pride, while critics highlight its association with extremism.