Turkey defender Merih Demiral has been handed a two-game suspension by UEFA after he celebrated a goal at Euro 2024 by displaying a hand sign associated with an ultra-nationalist group in his team’s round-of-16 win over Austria on Tuesday.
UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that it had appointed an inspector to investigate Demiral, and on Friday said in a statement that he had been banned “for failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”
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The defender scored both goals in the 2-1 win to earn a place in the quarterfinals, though he will now miss his team’s game against the Netherlands today If Turkey win that tie, Demiral would also miss their semifinal against either England or Switzerland, who play earlier. Should the Netherlands win, the second half of the ban would be served in the next competitive game after the tournament.