Germany requests dialogue with Turkey following controversial 'Wolf of Death' commemoration event.

Turkey's envoy to Germany has been summoned by Berlin following footballer Merih Demiral's display of a contentious right-wing symbol during the European Championship celebrations. This development led to discussions within the ministry, particularly after an earlier summons involving Germany's representative in Ankara due to Turkish governmental accusations against Germany for perceived xenophobia related to the symbol linked with Grey Wolves group.

Envoy Ahmet Başar Şen has been instructed by officials to provide clarity on this action and ensure its non-repetition, in line with a statement made after Turkey's diplomatic representatives were called into question over the salute associated with the Grey Wolves organisation – an entity described as right-wing extremist with significant membership presence within Germany.

While Germany does not officially ban this symbol or group like its neighbours Austria and France, there has been much discourse surrounding such a measure for years. The gesture by Demiral came after Turkey's team triumphed in their match against Austria.

It is noted that the Turkish diaspora forms an extensive ethnic minority within Germany, with significant numbers of both citizens and immigrants from this background residing across the nation. The success of Turkey’s national football squad at the Euros has garnered a widespread response among these communities in Germany.

In reaction to Demiral's gesture, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser criticised it as an unacceptable use of the sporting event for propagating racism, calling on Uefa to investigate and potentially sanction the Turkish football team if necessary. As of Thursday afternoon, no decision had been made by Uefa regarding potential punitive measures against Turkey's national squad.

Amidst these events, reports suggested that Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan altered his travel plans to fly to Berlin from Azerbaijan for the upcoming match in support of the team. This change of itinerary was reportedly influenced by concerns arising from Demiral's salute, with internal advisors suggesting that President Erdoğan wished to show solidarity with the national football side.

The Grey Wolves group is known for its hardline nationalist and Islamic ideologies, exhibiting animosity towards various ethnic and religious groups within Turkey and beyond. The symbol they use – a representation of the wolf's head formed by fingers – has historical ties with acts of terrorism dating back to the 1970s.

Merih Demiral, upon reflection, stated that his celebratory act was simply an expression of joy linked to his Turkish identity and not intended as a hidden message.