CHP leader Özel strongly reacts to UEFA's scandalous decision regarding Merih Demiral.

CHP Leader Özgür Özel stated that the punishment given to national football player Merih Demiral by the UEFA Disciplinary Committee is a politically biased decision that is not in line with fairness.

UEFA announced its decision regarding national football player Merih Demiral, who made the wolf gesture after scoring a goal in the Austria-Turkey match. UEFA gave our national football player Merih Demiral a 2-match ban. It was stated that the punishment decision was made within the scope of Article 11 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which is "General principles of conduct". There has been strong reaction to the decision from many figures.

"A POLITICALLY BIASED DECISION THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH FAIRNESS"

CHP leader Özel also strongly criticized UEFA's decision in a statement on his social media account. Özel said, "UEFA giving our national football player Merih Demiral a 2-match ban is a politically biased decision that is not in line with fairness. We hope that this decision will be corrected with our objection. Regardless of the decision, our National Team will give the best response to this attitude in tomorrow's match.".

WHAT HAPPENED?

Our national football player Merih Demiral showed the wolf gesture after scoring goals in the Austria match. Speaking about his gesture after the match, Demiral said, "There is no message, I just wanted to show how proud and happy I am.".

While Merih's gesture caused a great reaction, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had demanded sanctions from UEFA targeting this goal celebration. UEFA had initiated an investigation against our national football player due to 'inappropriate behavior'. In the statement made by UEFA, it was stated that "An investigation has been initiated in accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations regarding the alleged inappropriate behavior of Merih Demiral, a player of the Turkish Football Federation, in the Austria-Turkey match of the UEFA European Championship Round of 16 played in Leipzig, Germany on July 2, 2024. More detailed information will be provided in the coming days.".