UEFA suspends Turkey player for making political gesture

UEFA’s two-game ban of Turkey player Merih Demiral for a controversial hand gesture at the European Championship led to a diplomatic row between Turkey and host nation Germany.

The ban rules Demiral out of the quarterfinal against the Netherlands on July 6, and a semifinal should Turkey progress.

The Turkish Football Federation joined Turkish government officials in denouncing the suspension but said it can’t appeal against it because it’s under the three-game threshold.

After scoring his second goal in Turkey’s round-of-16 win over Austria July 2, Demiral made a sign with each hand that is associated with the Turkish ultra-nationalist organization Gray Wolves.