Euro 2024: Turkey to be backed by controversial guest when they face The Netherlands in the quarterfinal

Why Turkey head of state will be in attendance at their Euro 2024 quarterfinal match against The Netherlands

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to attend the 2024 European Championship quarterfinal match between Turkey and the Netherlands in Berlin has sparked considerable attention and controversy amid a diplomatic dispute stemming from a gesture made by Turkish national team player Merih Demiral.

Erdogan's presence at the game comes in the wake of a heated exchange between Turkish and German officials over Demiral's celebratory hand gesture, which has been associated with the ultra-nationalist group Ulku Ocaklari, also known as the Gray Wolves.

Demiral, who scored both goals in Turkey's 2-1 victory over Austria, made the gesture after his second goal, prompting UEFA to launch an investigation into the incident.

The controversy intensified when German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned Demiral's actions, labeling the gesture as a symbol of Turkish right-wing extremism and calling for UEFA to take action against the player. In response, Turkey summoned the German ambassador, accusing Germany of unjustly targeting Demiral and politicizing a cultural symbol deeply rooted in Turkish identity.

Erdogan's decision to change his plans and travel to Berlin for the match, despite previously scheduled engagements in Azerbaijan, underscores the significance of this sporting event amid strained diplomatic relations. His presence is seen as a statement of support for the Turkish national team and a gesture of defiance against what Turkey perceives as unjust criticism from Germany.

The Gray Wolves, originally founded as the youth wing of Turkey's far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), remain a divisive symbol in European countries due to their association with right-wing nationalism and historical controversies.

While the group is legal in Turkey and supported by segments of the population, its activities and symbols are banned or closely monitored in several European nations, including Austria and France.

Erdogan's attendance at the match also highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and nationalism, particularly in the context of major international tournaments like the European Championship.

For Turkey, football has long served as a unifying force and a source of national pride, with Erdogan often using sporting events to bolster domestic morale and project Turkish influence abroad.

The outcome of UEFA's investigation into Demiral's gesture is a 2 game match ban, but the incident has already deepened tensions between Turkey and Germany, prompting a diplomatic spat that threatens to overshadow the footballing spectacle.

As Erdogan prepares to witness his national team compete against the Netherlands, all eyes will be on both the pitch and the diplomatic fallout, underscoring the complexities of sports diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected world.