Due to the hand sign's stark resemblance to a far-right Turkish gesture, a city in northern Germany has become the first to completely ban its use in classrooms.

Teachers in Germany and other countries have long considered the "silent fox" gesture, which involves posing the hand to resemble an animal with elevated ears (the little and forefinger) and a closed mouth (the middle fingers placed against the thumb), to be a good teaching tool. It signals youngsters to stop chatting and pay attention to their teacher.

The gesture, however, is "in danger of being mistaken" for the same but indistinguishable "wolf salute" used by right-wing extremists, according to Bremen officials.

When Turkish national football player Merih Demiral used the salute to celebrate scoring a goal in Turkey's round of 16 match against Austria earlier this month, it became the centre of a diplomatic and sports controversy.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called it "completely unacceptable" that "to use the football championships as a platform for racism" was still allowed in Germany, despite the sign not being outlawed as it is in neighbouring Austria and France.

The European football governing body Uefa suspended Demiral for two matches following the summons of the ambassadors of Germany and Turkey to Berlin and Ankara, respectively.

Protests over his ban sparked calls among Turkish fans to use the symbol even more to show their anger at what Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called an “unfair and biased” reaction. “Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster?” he questioned reporters before Turkey’s quarter-final match against the Netherlands in Berlin.

Erdoğan said that Demiral had just made the gesture to express his delight and that the ban was politically motivated.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-assassination-attempt-shooter-used-ar-15-rifle-one-of-the-most-popular-and-deadliest-guns-in-us-741008">Donald Trump assassination attempt: Shooter used AR-15 rifle, one of the most popular and deadliest guns in US</a>

Germany hosts around 3 million ethnic Turks, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country and the biggest Turkish diaspora worldwide.

Patricia Brandt, a spokesperson for Bremen's education authority, stated that discussions about the silent fox gesture and the possibility of banning it had been ongoing for a long time, but the city felt it had no other option at this point.

“The political meaning of the hand gesture is absolutely incompatible with the values of the city of Bremen,” she said.

But she noted that more teachers now view the gesture as “pedagogically outdated” and find its “regulatory style” to be overly rigid and condescending.

(With inputs from agencies)

Due to the hand sign's stark resemblance to a far-right Turkish gesture, a city in northern Germany has become the first to completely ban its use in classrooms.

Due to the hand sign's stark resemblance to a far-right Turkish gesture, a city in northern Germany has become the first to completely ban its use in classrooms. Teachers in Germany and other countries have long considered the "silent fox" gesture, which involves posing the hand to resemble an animal with elevated ears (the little and forefinger) and a closed mouth (the middle fingers placed against the thumb), to be a good teaching tool. It signals youngsters to stop chatting and pay attention to their teacher. The gesture, however, is "in danger of being mistaken" for the same but indistinguishable "wolf salute" used by right-wing extremists, according to Bremen officials. When Turkish national football player Merih Demiral used the salute to celebrate scoring a goal in Turkey's round of 16 match against Austria earlier this month, it became the centre of a diplomatic and sports controversy. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called it "completely unacceptable" that "to use the football championships as a platform for racism" was still allowed in Germany, despite the sign not being outlawed as it is in neighbouring Austria and France. The European football governing body Uefa suspended Demiral for two matches following the summons of the ambassadors of Germany and Turkey to Berlin and Ankara, respectively. Protests over his ban sparked calls among Turkish fans to use the symbol even more to show their anger at what Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called an “unfair and biased” reaction. “Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster?” he questioned reporters before Turkey’s quarter-final match against the Netherlands in Berlin. Erdoğan said that Demiral had just made the gesture to express his delight and that the ban was politically motivated. Also read: Donald Trump assassination attempt: Shooter used AR-15 rifle, one of the most popular and deadliest guns in US Germany hosts around 3 million ethnic Turks, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country and the biggest Turkish diaspora worldwide. Patricia Brandt, a spokesperson for Bremen's education authority, stated that discussions about the silent fox gesture and the possibility of banning it had been ongoing for a long time, but the city felt it had no other option at this point. “The political meaning of the hand gesture is absolutely incompatible with the values of the city of Bremen,” she said. But she noted that more teachers now view the gesture as “pedagogically outdated” and find its “regulatory style” to be overly rigid and condescending. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany: Bremen bans ‘silent fox’ hand gesture in classrooms over far-right symbolism controversy

Tukriye's Merih Demiral has been banned for two matches due to his 'wolf salute' during the Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Austria. The ban has sparked a diplomatic confrontation between Turkiye and Germany.

Gravitas: The 'Wolf Salute' that sparked a political storm

Europe's football body UEFA handed a two-match ban on Friday to Turkish soccer player Merih Demiral for his politically-charged "wolf" celebration and fined England's Jude Bellingham 30,000 euros ($32,469) for a crotch-grabbing gesture at Euro 2024.

Centre back Demiral will now miss Turkey's quarter-final against the Netherlands, but midfielder Bellingham is clear to play for England against Switzerland, both on Saturday.

Bellingham also got a one-match ban but, reflecting the UEFA disciplinary committee's view that his was a less serious offence, it was suspended depending on good behaviour.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/exclusive-south-uniteds-terry-phelan-opens-up-on-football-academies-and-predicts-this-team-to-win-euro-2024-738258">Exclusive: South United's Terry Phelan opens up on football academies and predicts THIS team to win Euro 2024</a>

Demiral, 26, mimicked the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers after his second goal in Turkey's 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16. The symbol dates back centuries but has in recent times been linked to Turkey's far-right "Grey Wolves" group and was condemned as racist by Germany.

UEFA said Demiral was punished "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."

Demiral said he had planned the gesture and was proud of it as an expression of patriotism - a position Turkey's government has backed.

"The beauty and excitement of football should not be overshadowed with political decisions," said Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz on X, urging an overturning of the ban.

In Bellingham's case, after scoring a stunning bicycle kick to keep England in the game, he kissed his hand and lowered it to his groin at the final whistle when walking off after a 2-1 win over Slovakia that took his team to the quarter-finals.

His fine and suspended one-match ban were "for violating the basic rules of decent conduct," UEFA said in its statement.

"Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision," it added.

<h2>‘Inside Joke’</h2>

In the latest of a slew of sanctions against participating countries for fan misbehaviour, UEFA also fined the English Football Association 10,000 euros for crowd disturbances and 1,000 euros for lighting of fireworks during the Slovakia game.

There was no immediate reaction from England's FA.

Bellingham, who had been widely praised in the past for maturity beyond his years, said his gesture was not aimed at Slovakia, as some interpreted it, but as a laugh with friends.

"An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight," he said hours after the game.

Amid the furore over Demiral's gesture, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan is planning to attend his nation's game in Berlin on Saturday.

"Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih (Demiral) showed his excitement with that gesture," he said on Thursday, according to Turkish media.

The "Grey Wolves", whose symbol Demiral evoked, is an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of Erdogan's ruling AK Party.

Established in the 1960s, the "Grey Wolves" were involved in political violence between leftists and nationalists that killed some 5,000 people around the time of a 1980 coup.

The group is outlawed in France and its symbol is banned in Austria. It is also under surveillance in Germany.

Turkey's foreign ministry has defended the gesture as "a historical and cultural symbol" that Demiral used without targeting anyone at the game.

Turkey's Football Federation plans to appeal against his ban, Turkish media said.

Europe's football body UEFA handed a two-match ban on Friday to Turkish soccer player Merih Demiral for his politically-charged "wolf" celebration and fined England's Jude Bellingham 30,000 euros ($32,469) for a crotch-grabbing gesture at Euro 2024.

Europe's football body UEFA handed a two-match ban on Friday to Turkish soccer player Merih Demiral for his politically-charged "wolf" celebration and fined England's Jude Bellingham 30,000 euros ($32,469) for a crotch-grabbing gesture at Euro 2024. Centre back Demiral will now miss Turkey's quarter-final against the Netherlands, but midfielder Bellingham is clear to play for England against Switzerland, both on Saturday. Bellingham also got a one-match ban but, reflecting the UEFA disciplinary committee's view that his was a less serious offence, it was suspended depending on good behaviour. ALSO READ: Exclusive: South United's Terry Phelan opens up on football academies and predicts THIS team to win Euro 2024 Demiral, 26, mimicked the shape of a wolf's head with his fingers after his second goal in Turkey's 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16. The symbol dates back centuries but has in recent times been linked to Turkey's far-right "Grey Wolves" group and was condemned as racist by Germany. UEFA said Demiral was punished "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." Demiral said he had planned the gesture and was proud of it as an expression of patriotism - a position Turkey's government has backed. "The beauty and excitement of football should not be overshadowed with political decisions," said Turkey's Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz on X, urging an overturning of the ban. In Bellingham's case, after scoring a stunning bicycle kick to keep England in the game, he kissed his hand and lowered it to his groin at the final whistle when walking off after a 2-1 win over Slovakia that took his team to the quarter-finals. His fine and suspended one-match ban were "for violating the basic rules of decent conduct," UEFA said in its statement. "Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision," it added. ‘Inside Joke’ In the latest of a slew of sanctions against participating countries for fan misbehaviour, UEFA also fined the English Football Association 10,000 euros for crowd disturbances and 1,000 euros for lighting of fireworks during the Slovakia game. There was no immediate reaction from England's FA. Bellingham, who had been widely praised in the past for maturity beyond his years, said his gesture was not aimed at Slovakia, as some interpreted it, but as a laugh with friends. "An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight," he said hours after the game. Amid the furore over Demiral's gesture, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan is planning to attend his nation's game in Berlin on Saturday. "Does anybody ask why the German national jersey has an eagle, or the French jersey a rooster? Merih (Demiral) showed his excitement with that gesture," he said on Thursday, according to Turkish media. The "Grey Wolves", whose symbol Demiral evoked, is an ultra-nationalist youth branch of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of Erdogan's ruling AK Party. Established in the 1960s, the "Grey Wolves" were involved in political violence between leftists and nationalists that killed some 5,000 people around the time of a 1980 coup. The group is outlawed in France and its symbol is banned in Austria. It is also under surveillance in Germany. Turkey's foreign ministry has defended the gesture as "a historical and cultural symbol" that Demiral used without targeting anyone at the game. Turkey's Football Federation plans to appeal against his ban, Turkish media said.

Euro 2024: UEFA bans Turkey’s Demiral for two games over ‘wolf’ celebration; fines Bellingham

Turkey defender Merih Demiral will miss his team's Euro 2024 quarter-final against the Netherlands after UEFA banned him for two games on Friday for making a ultra-nationalist salute, a move Ankara blasted as "unfair and biased".

Demiral scored both of Turkey's goals in the 2-1 last-16 win over Austria on Tuesday and during celebrations for his second goal made a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.

UEFA said in a statement it was banning Demiral "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".

Should Turkey overcome the Dutch on Saturday, Demiral would also miss the semi-final against England or Switzerland.

Turkey's Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak claimed the ban was politically motivated.

"We condemn UEFA's unfair and biased decision, which has no legal basis and that we consider to be purely political," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Demiral has said his celebration was related to his "Turkish identity".

The 26-year-old former Juventus defender, now at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, insisted there was no "hidden message" in the salute.

Demiral posted a photo of his celebration on X with the caption "How happy is the one who says 'I am a Turk'."

His gesture has triggered a diplomatic row between Turkey and Euro 2024 host nation Germany, where an estimated three million Turks live.

Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned "the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums".

Turkey then summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday over politicians' reactions to Demiral's celebration.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the quarter-final at the Olympiastadion in the German capital, which tens of thousands of Turks are expected to attend.

Erdogan himself has said Demiral was just "showing his excitement" and several ministers and the spokesman of his ruling AKP party have condemned Faeser's reaction.

<h2>Accusations of xenophobia</h2>

The Grey Wolves advocated radical ideas and used violence in the 1980s against leftist activists and ethnic minorities.

The group has been banned in Austria and France, but not in Germany.&nbsp;

Germany's Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir said Wednesday "nothing about the wolf salute is hidden".

Ozdemir, one of the most prominent German politicians with Turkish roots, said the symbol "stands for terror (and) fascism".

The Grey Wolves were labelled "a terrorist organisation" by the European Parliament in 2021 and "especially threatening for people with a Kurdish, Armenian, or Greek background and anyone they consider an opponent".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-mothers-love-made-rohit-sharma-blush-upon-arrival-in-mumbai-watch-738240">How mother’s love made Rohit Sharma blush upon arrival in Mumbai – WATCH</a>

Accusing German authorities of "xenophobia", Turkey's foreign ministry pointed out that Germany's domestic intelligence service had emphasised in its report "not every person making the grey wolf sign can be described as a far-right extremist".

Demiral's goals helped Turkey reach the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2008.

With such a large Turkish disapora in Germany, the team has enjoyed heavy backing across the country for its Euro 2024 matches.

Berlin police have said they will deploy more officers than usual for Saturday's quarter-final, which is considered a "high-risk game".

Germany's capital is home to the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey, many of them the descendants of "guest workers" invited under a massive economic programme in the 1960s and 70s.

Turkey defender Merih Demiral will miss his team's Euro 2024 quarter-final against the Netherlands after UEFA banned him for two games on Friday for making a ultra-nationalist salute, a move Ankara blasted as "unfair and biased".

Turkey defender Merih Demiral will miss his team's Euro 2024 quarter-final against the Netherlands after UEFA banned him for two games on Friday for making a ultra-nationalist salute, a move Ankara blasted as "unfair and biased". Demiral scored both of Turkey's goals in the 2-1 last-16 win over Austria on Tuesday and during celebrations for his second goal made a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves. UEFA said in a statement it was banning Demiral "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". Should Turkey overcome the Dutch on Saturday, Demiral would also miss the semi-final against England or Switzerland. Turkey's Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak claimed the ban was politically motivated. "We condemn UEFA's unfair and biased decision, which has no legal basis and that we consider to be purely political," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Demiral has said his celebration was related to his "Turkish identity". The 26-year-old former Juventus defender, now at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, insisted there was no "hidden message" in the salute. Demiral posted a photo of his celebration on X with the caption "How happy is the one who says 'I am a Turk'." His gesture has triggered a diplomatic row between Turkey and Euro 2024 host nation Germany, where an estimated three million Turks live. Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned "the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums". Turkey then summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday over politicians' reactions to Demiral's celebration. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the quarter-final at the Olympiastadion in the German capital, which tens of thousands of Turks are expected to attend. Erdogan himself has said Demiral was just "showing his excitement" and several ministers and the spokesman of his ruling AKP party have condemned Faeser's reaction. Accusations of xenophobia The Grey Wolves advocated radical ideas and used violence in the 1980s against leftist activists and ethnic minorities. The group has been banned in Austria and France, but not in Germany. Germany's Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir said Wednesday "nothing about the wolf salute is hidden". Ozdemir, one of the most prominent German politicians with Turkish roots, said the symbol "stands for terror (and) fascism". The Grey Wolves were labelled "a terrorist organisation" by the European Parliament in 2021 and "especially threatening for people with a Kurdish, Armenian, or Greek background and anyone they consider an opponent". ALSO READ | How mother’s love made Rohit Sharma blush upon arrival in Mumbai – WATCH Accusing German authorities of "xenophobia", Turkey's foreign ministry pointed out that Germany's domestic intelligence service had emphasised in its report "not every person making the grey wolf sign can be described as a far-right extremist". Demiral's goals helped Turkey reach the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2008. With such a large Turkish disapora in Germany, the team has enjoyed heavy backing across the country for its Euro 2024 matches. Berlin police have said they will deploy more officers than usual for Saturday's quarter-final, which is considered a "high-risk game". Germany's capital is home to the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey, many of them the descendants of "guest workers" invited under a massive economic programme in the 1960s and 70s.

Euro 2024: Turkey condemns Merih Demiral ban for 'wolf' salute, terms it unfair

merih-demiral

Merih Demiral, News on Merih Demiral, stories on Merih Demiral, articles on Merih Demiral, Merih Demiral stories at Wion, Merih Demiral news, Merih Demiral latest news

merih demiral

Germany: Bremen bans ‘silent fox’ hand gesture in classrooms over far-right symbolism controversy

Gravitas: The 'Wolf Salute' that sparked a political storm

Euro 2024: UEFA bans Turkey’s Demiral for two games over ‘wolf’ celebration; fines Bellingham

Euro 2024: Turkey condemns Merih Demiral ban for 'wolf' salute, terms it unfair