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 an ultra-nationalist salute, a move Ankara criticized as "unfair and biased."

Demiral, who scored both of Turkey's goals in their 2-1 last-16 win over Austria on Tuesday, made a gesture associated with the Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves during his celebration. UEFA banned him 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."

If Turkey defeats the Netherlands on Saturday, Demiral will also miss the semi-final against either England or Switzerland.

Turkey's Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak condemned the ban as politically motivated, calling it an "unfair and biased decision" on X, formerly Twitter. Demiral stated that his celebration was related to his "Turkish identity" and had no "hidden message." He posted a photo of his celebration on X with the caption "How happy is the one who says 'I am a Turk.'"

The gesture has caused a diplomatic row between Turkey and Euro 2024 host nation Germany, where approximately three million Turks live. Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that "the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums," leading Turkey to summon the German ambassador.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will attend the quarter-final at Berlin's Olympiastadion, defended Demiral, saying he was "showing his excitement." Several Turkish ministers and AKP party spokespeople also condemned Faeser's reaction.

The Grey Wolves, known for their violent activities in the 1980s against leftists and ethnic minorities, have been banned in Austria and France but not in Germany. German Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, a prominent politician with Turkish roots, said the salute symbolizes "terror (and) fascism." The European Parliament labeled the Grey Wolves a "terrorist organisation" in 2021, citing their threat to people of Kurdish, Armenian, or Greek backgrounds.

Accusing German authorities of "xenophobia," Turkey's foreign ministry noted that Germany's domestic intelligence service stated that not every person making the Grey Wolves sign is a far-right extremist.

Demiral's goals have helped Turkey reach the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2008. With a large Turkish diaspora in Germany, the team has received strong support throughout Euro 2024. Berlin police will deploy more officers than usual for Saturday's "high-risk game" quarter-final, given the city's large Turkish community, many of whom are descendants of "guest workers" from the 1960s and 70s.