Erdogan says UEFA ban on Turkey's Demiral 'political'

July 08, 2024 | 16:47

(0) user say

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said UEFA's two-game ban on Turkey defender Merih Demiral for making a ultra-nationalist salute was "political" and overshadowed the championship.

The Turkish leader cancelled his visit to Azerbaijan and travelled to Berlin on Saturday to watch the quarter-final at the Olympiastadion in the German capital, which tens of thousands of Turks attended.

Erdogan says UEFA ban on Turkey's Demiral 'political'

Turkey's defender #03 Merih Demiral arrives for a training session at the team's base camp in Barsinghausen on July 5, 2024, during their MD-1 training ahead of their UEFA Euro 2024 football match against Netherlands. OZAN KOSE / AFP

The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 to reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

Demiral, who scored twice against Austria, could not play Saturday after UEFA suspended him for two matches after making a controversial salute during celebrations, associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.

"To put it bluntly, UEFA's two-match ban for Merih has cast a serious shadow over the championship," Erdogan was quoted as telling journalists on a plane from Berlin, the official Anadolu news agency reported.

"This cannot be explained, it is a purely political decision," he added.

Erdogan however said the decision did not affect the team's motivation.

"Despite all the negatives... we watched a thrilling game," Erdogan said.

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said Friday that Demiral's ban was "unfair".

Mbappe finds face mask 'horrible' as France captain plays on with broken nose

France captain Kylian Mbappe admitted that playing with a mask to protect his broken nose was "absolutely horrible" as he prepared for Monday's last-16 clash with Belgium at Euro 2024.