Uefa investigating Demiral and Bellingham over goal celebration
Turkey defender Merih Demiral is under investigation by Uefa after appearing to make an ultra-nationalist salute during his country's victory against Austria.
Demiral, 26, scored twice as Turkey booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals to face Netherlands with a 2-1 win against Austria.
The Al-Ahli defender celebrated his second goal with a 'wolf salute', a gesture associated with the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves that is linked with Turkey's ruling coalition party the National Movement Party.
Demiral said the salute, which is banned in Austria and France, was pre-planned in case he scored.
"I had a goal celebration in mind, which I did," said Demiral.
"I am very proud because I am a Turk, therefore after the goal I felt it deeply and I wanted to do it, and I am very happy about doing it."
Demiral posted a photo of the celebration on his X account with the caption: “How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!"
Uefa's investigation has been opened by Article 31(4) about the "alleged inappropriate behaviour" of Demiral.
If found guilty, Demiral could be fined or face a suspension as Turkey prepares to take on the Netherlands in Saturday's quarter-final
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is under investigation for a gesture he made during the last-16 win against Slovakia on Sunday.
Bellingham was seen making a crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakian bench after scoring an overhead kick in stoppage time.
The Real Madrid player denied it was aimed at England's opponents, saying on social media that it was an inside joke directed towards some close friends.
If found to have breached the rules, the 21-year-old could face a suspension, a fine or both.
The rule in question is article 11/2b, which requires anyone subject to Uefa regulations to respect the "principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship".
Anyone whose conduct is "insulting or otherwise violates the basic rules of decent conduct" could be in breach.
England won 2-1 after extra time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.
Responding to the incident on social media, Bellingham said: "An inside-joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.
"Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight."
Bellingham has made a similar gesture when playing for Real Madrid and after scoring a late equaliser for England in a friendly against Belgium in March.
After Sunday's dramatic win, Bellingham said giving a "little bit back" was nice as he responded to England's critics.
"You hear people talk a lot of rubbish. It's nice when you can deliver and give them a little bit back," the 21-year-old added.
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined but avoided a ban for making a similar gesture while celebrating a goal for Juventus against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of a Champions League last-16 tie in 2019.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone was also fined for making the gesture during the first leg.
Jude Bellingham and Gareth Southgate now face a nervous wait while Uefa's inspector decides whether to charge the player. I'm told the investigation could take several days to complete.
So what punishment could he be looking at, if charged and found guilty?
In February, Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for a match in the Saudi Pro League after making an obscene gesture towards the crowd during a game.
However, the Portuguese superstar and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone were merely fined by Uefa after each gesturing towards their crotch in separate incidents in 2019.
A fine is understood to be more likely than a suspension in Bellingham's case, but much will depend on his explanation, and how the Slovakia team viewed the incident.
