UEFA Suspends 2-Match Ban on Merih Demiral
UEFA has given Merih Demiral a two-match ban for “allegedly inappropriate behaviour” after he celebrated his goal by making the “grey wolf” sign during the Turkish National Football Team’s 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16 round of the 2024 European Championship. The reason for the penalty was cited as the interpretation of the “grey wolf” gesture and the evaluation of political contexts.
Double Standards: Deferred Sentence for Bellingham
While Merih Demiral was given a 2-match ban, Jude Bellingham was given a £30,000 fine and a 1-match “suspended” ban during the same period, which led to discussions about double standards. This situation pointed out the inconsistency of UEFA’s disciplinary policies and practices.
Reactions and Criticisms
- Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz:Describing the penalty given by UEFA to Merih Demiral as unacceptable, he emphasized that the decision was incompatible with sports ethics and universality. Yilmaz stated that the decision was a reflection of a political approach.
- AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik:Stating that the UEFA Disciplinary Board found the punishment given to Demiral for being wrong, Çelik pointed out that the decision was taken under the influence of certain pressure groups. Çelik stated that the decision underlined the independence and impartiality of football.
Political Pressure and Debates
Criticism that UEFA’s punishments to players are politically influenced and that certain pressure groups’ influence decisions has had a wide impact in the football community. Debates continue over whether the punishments are fair or not.
