Thousands of Turkish national football team fans performed the nationalist wolf salute during the national anthem at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening. Immediately before the European Championship quarter-final once morest the Netherlands, supporters clad in red and white formed the much-discussed symbol of the Grey Wolves with both hands. Turkish football ultras had called for this action in the run-up to the game. The Grey Wolves are the name given to supporters of the right-wing extremist Ülkücü movement, which is being monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany.
National player Demiral celebrated his second goal in the European Championship round of 16 once morest Austria with the wolf salute. He was subsequently banned for two matches by UEFA.
A supporter of the Turkish team also appeared in the stadium with a flag displaying three crescent moons on a green background. This flag, which refers to the Ottoman Empire, is also a popular symbol among right-wing extremist Turks.
A Turkish fan in the Olympic Stadium showed a green flag with three crescents on it. This is also popular among right-wing extremist Turks.
© Daily Mirror
Police had ended the fan march prematurely
Earlier on Saturday followingnoon, the Berlin police prematurely ended the fan march of Turkish football supporters towards the Olympic Stadium. According to a police spokeswoman, the reason was the mass display of the wolf salute during the procession through western Berlin. The fan march was not a political gathering; a separate demonstration had to be registered to express political messages, explained the spokeswoman.
The cancellation came as a surprise to many Turkish fans. The police did not initially provide a reason for this. The march was supposed to go from the Turkish supporters’ meeting point at Breitscheidplatz to Charlottenburg station. The fans were supposed to take the S-Bahn from there for the final stretch, as the route from Breitscheidplatz to the Olympic Stadium, where the Turkish team would meet the Netherlands in the European Championship quarter-finals, would have been too long.
Turkish supporters showed the salute of the right-wing extremist Grey Wolves en masse during the fan march through Berlin.
However, even before reaching the station, the police declared the march over. For a few minutes, police announced over loudspeakers that the Turkish supporters would be accompanied to the S-Bahn, but then abruptly announced that the march had been called off early. Fans were instructed to quickly move from the road to the sidewalks.
Shortly following the fan march began, the police stopped it briefly because the wolf salute was increasingly being displayed. The police asked the fans not to use the march to express political opinions, the authority announced on the X platform.
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A large block of organized football ultras dressed in black led the fan march.
At least 4,500 people at Turkish fan festival
In the followingnoon, thousands of supporters of the Turkish national team gathered around Breitscheidplatz and celebrated a fan festival. According to police, around 4,500 fans were present at approximately 4 p.m., with the number continuing to increase. Traffic around the square came to a standstill, as Tauentzienstrasse and Budapester Strasse were closed. The surrounding restaurants were also packed with Turkish football fans, and free tables were scarce. There was great cheering when a Dutch fan climbed onto a lamppost and waved the Turkish flag.
The wolf salute was also seen on a banner during the fan march.
© Julius Geiler
The wolf salute was already a constant feature at the fan festival. Dozens of supporters repeatedly raised their fingers to the sky and formed the symbol of the right-wing extremist Turkish group Grey Wolves.
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The words “UEFA Mafia” were written on a fan’s poster. The lettering was embedded in two hands forming the wolf salute. The Turkish crescent moon was visible in between. The poster was apparently a reference to the ban imposed on Merih Demiral by the European football association UEFA. The poster was photographed extensively, and fans commented on it with the wolf salute.
At least 4,500 Turkey fans had gathered for a fan meeting at Breitscheidplatz before the start of the game.
Erdogan arrives at the Olympic Stadium
There is significant concern regarding escalation and riots, particularly following the game. According to the police, around 3,000 officers are on duty around the game. The match is considered high-risk. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended the game on Saturday. Wearing a dark suit and red tie, the 70-year-old sat in the stands at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening with his wife Emine. Erdogan landed in the capital shortly before kick-off and was scheduled to fly back immediately following the game. He had canceled his planned trip to Azerbaijan specifically for the short visit, the German Press Agency (DPA) learned from informed sources.
Chancellor’s Office Minister Wolfgang Schmidt (SPD) also planned to attend the game and greet Erdogan, as he confirmed in response to a request from Tagesspiegel. “Berliner Morgenpost” reports.
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Turkish team manager Hamit Altintop, however, insists the visit has nothing to do with the wolf salute debate. “It was already agreed beforehand that our head of state wanted to come to this game. It has nothing to do with the incident or UEFA’s decision,” said the former Bundesliga professional on MagentaTV.
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Altintop described the debate regarding the wolf salute scandal as unfair. The discussion had not left any traces on his team, said the former Bundesliga professional from FC Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich. “Nevertheless, it is unfair because we do not know the history and culture of Turkey.” In Altintop’s opinion, it was “false information in the press” and politicians had “partially” exploited this. The former national player might not provide any further details regarding these statements. “We are all grown up enough to bring in a historian and get to know Turkey better,” recommended Altintop, referring to the country’s millennia-long history. “In retrospect, it was made into a huge bubble,” he said.
Turkish Wolf Salute Sparks Controversy at Euro 2024 in Berlin
Wolf Salute on Display at Olympic Stadium
Thousands of Turkish national football team fans performed the nationalist wolf salute during the national anthem at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening, immediately before the European Championship quarter-final once morest the Netherlands. Red and white-clad supporters formed the much-discussed symbol of the Grey Wolves with both hands, as Turkish football ultras had called for the action in the run-up to the game. The Grey Wolves are the name given to supporters of the right-wing extremist Ülkücü movement, which is being monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany.
The wolf salute has become increasingly controversial, with many seeing it as a symbol of far-right ideology. In June 2023, Turkish national player Merih Demiral celebrated a goal with the wolf salute, leading to a two-match ban from UEFA. The incident sparked widespread criticism and debate regarding the use of such symbols in football.
In addition to the wolf salute, another symbol associated with right-wing extremist Turks – a flag featuring three crescent moons on a green background, a reference to the Ottoman Empire – was also seen at the stadium.
Police Prematurely End Turkish Fan March
Earlier on Saturday, the Berlin police prematurely ended a fan march of Turkish football supporters towards the Olympic Stadium. The reason, according to a police spokeswoman, was the widespread display of the wolf salute during the march through western Berlin.
While the fan march was not registered as a political demonstration, the police deemed the wolf salute to be a political statement, requiring a separate permit. The cancellation caught many Turkish fans by surprise, with the police initially failing to offer an explanation for the abrupt end to the march.
Despite police requests to refrain from expressing political opinions during the march, the wolf salute continued to be shown, prompting authorities to halt the procession for a short time before ultimately declaring it over.
Turkish Fan Festival Marked by Wolf Salute
Before the game, thousands of Turkish supporters gathered around Breitscheidplatz for a fan festival. The wolf salute was a frequent sight, with dozens of fans repeatedly forming the symbol of the Grey Wolves.
The debate surrounding the wolf salute was highlighted by a fan’s poster displaying the words “UEFA Mafia” surrounded by two hands forming the wolf salute with a Turkish crescent moon visible between them. The poster was a clear reference to Demiral’s ban by UEFA and was widely photographed, with many fans responding to it with the wolf salute.
Erdogan Attends Match Amidst Tensions
The game itself was attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding another layer of political significance to the event. Erdogan arrived at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening with his wife Emine, having canceled a trip to Azerbaijan specifically for the short visit.
While Turkish team manager Hamit Altintop stated that the President’s visit was planned beforehand and unrelated to the wolf salute controversy, the presence of high-profile political figures in such a charged environment has raised concerns regarding potential escalations and riots, especially in the followingmath of the match.
Debate Over Wolf Salute Continues
The debate surrounding the wolf salute has divided opinions, with many critiquing the acceptance of such symbols in a sporting context. Turkish authorities have defended the gesture, arguing that it is a cultural symbol and not an expression of right-wing extremism. However, many view the wolf salute as a clear sign of support for the Grey Wolves and their extremist ideology.
The incident has highlighted the complex relationship between football, nationalism, and right-wing extremism, particularly in countries with a history of political instability and social tensions. The wolf salute controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing such issues and promoting tolerance and understanding in the world of sport.
