After Turkey's Merih Demiral displayed a hand gesture associated with a right-wing nationalist group during his goal celebration at Euro 2020, German interior minister Nancy Faeser condemned the action and called for UEFA to punish the player. The controversy has led to a diplomatic brouhaha between the two countries, with Turkey summoning the German ambassador and criticizing Germany's focus on racism and fascism in soccer rather than recent election results. However, German politician of Turkish descent, Cem Özdemir, also condemned the gesture, stating it stands for "terror and fascism." UEFA is currently investigating the incident and has yet to announce any disciplinary action.
Turkey, Germany Clash over Nationalist Gesture by Demiral
At the recent Euro 2020 tournament, Turkish defender Merih Demiral sparked controversy with a hand gesture he made after scoring a goal. The gesture, known as the "grey wolf," is associated with the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves group, designated as a terrorist organization in some countries.
German Reaction
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser strongly condemned the gesture, calling it a "symbol of right-wing extremism and racism" and demanding that UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, punish Demiral. She also criticized Turkey's "aggressive and unacceptable" reaction to the incident.
Turkish Response
Turkey summoned the German ambassador to Ankara and criticized Germany for "fabricating accusations." Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu accused Germany of using the incident to "divert attention from its own problems with right-wing extremism and rising neo-Nazism."
Diplomatic Fallout
The controversy has led to a diplomatic brouhaha between Turkey and Germany. Germany has called for a full investigation, while Turkey has defended Demiral's gesture as a symbol of national unity.
Cem Özdemir's Condemnation
German politician of Turkish descent Cem Özdemir also condemned Demiral's gesture, calling it "a symbol of terror and fascism." He urged Turkish authorities to distance themselves from the Grey Wolves and "send a clear signal against extremism."
UEFA Investigation
UEFA is currently investigating the incident and has not yet announced any disciplinary action. It is possible that Demiral could face a suspension or other punishment for his gesture.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What is the Grey Wolves group? A1: The Grey Wolves is a Turkish ultra-nationalist organization known for its anti-Armenian, anti-Kurdish, and anti-Western views. It is designated as a terrorist organization in some countries.
Q2: What does the "grey wolf" gesture represent? A2: The "grey wolf" gesture is a symbol of the Grey Wolves group and represents their nationalistic and ultra-conservative ideology.
Q3: Why did Demiral make the gesture? A3: Demiral has not provided a specific explanation for making the gesture, but it is believed to have been a symbol of national pride.
Q4: What is Germany's position on the Grey Wolves? A4: Germany has banned the Grey Wolves and its activities on its territory, due to its association with extremism and terrorism.
Q5: What is the likely outcome of UEFA's investigation? A5: UEFA has yet to announce a decision, but it is possible that Demiral could face disciplinary action, such as a suspension from international football.
Former opener Gautam Gambhir is set to take over the role of head coach for the Indian cricket team ahead of their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka in July. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has conducted interviews for the role and has shortlisted two candidates, with Gambhir being favored as the successor to Rahul Dravid. BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that appointments for both coach and selector will be finalized soon, with VVS Laxman heading to Zimbabwe and the new coach starting with the Sri Lanka series. With the first match of the tour set to be played on July 27, all eyes will be on Gambhir to lead the team to victory.
A young Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, left for Zimbabwe to play a five-match T20I series, coached by National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman. Youngsters Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma will also make their maiden India appearances, while Gill will join the team directly from the US. The BCCI shared photos of the team boarding the flight on X, including other rising stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravi Bishnoi.
After winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title against South Africa, the Indian cricket team received a special water salute upon their return to Mumbai. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, also hosted the team for breakfast where they had memorable conversations about their experiences during the tournament. Excitement and craze for the team can be seen all over social media as they prepare for a victory parade and ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
The Indian cricket team, fresh off their victory in the T20 World Cup, will face Zimbabwe in a five-match T20 series starting on Saturday. With senior players resting, the spotlight will be on young players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who will be looking to make an impression and earn a spot in the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is hoping to rebuild their cricket program and inspire more young talent to fall in love with the sport.
After a recent slip in form, Kashima Antlers are determined to get back on track and chase down the league-leaders to secure their ninth title. Sitting just five points behind first place, Antlers will have to fend off the competition from third place Gamba Osaka, who are hot on their heels. Consadole Sapporo, on the other hand, have been struggling at the bottom of the table and are desperate for a win as they sit nine points behind safety. Can Kashima Antlers take advantage of this opportunity?
Super Saturday in the ongoing Lanka Premier League will feature an intense match between Kandy Falcons and Colombo Strikers. Both teams have had a similar start in the tournament with one win and one loss each. This clash becomes crucial as the winner has a chance to take the top spot on the points table. The forecast for the match predicts a cloudy sky with moderate wind speed, making it a perfect day for cricket.
The Indian cricket team, fresh of their win at the Men's T20 World Cup, arrived back in India to a grand welcome from fans and a special jersey reveal. The jersey features a second star above the BCCI logo, signifying India's second T20 World Cup victory, along with the word "champions" boldly displayed on the front. The team will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a victory parade before a ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. This celebration is a symbol of the team's hard-fought victory and their perseverance in achieving their goal.
Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani displayed his exceptional skills as he dominated his compatriots Shrikrishna Suryanarayanan and Sourav Kothari in the quarterfinal and semifinal matches of the Asian Billiards Championship. With consistent 100 breaks and precision on the table, Pankaj secured his spot in the final. His dominant performance reaffirms his status as a top-tier billiards player and showcases his mastery of the game.
In a highly anticipated showdown, France and Portugal face off in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Both teams have struggled with their star players' lackluster performances, but their fierce rivalry and past history promise an exciting match. With Portugal led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and France boasting a talented attacking lineup, soccer fans are in for a treat.
The highly anticipated quarter-final match between Spain and Germany did not disappoint as it ended in a 2-1 victory for Spain in extra time. Despite losing possession for most of the game, Spain's relentless drive and key substitutions helped them secure a spot in the semi-finals where they will face France. The match also set a record for most yellow cards in a European Championship match.