Turkish fans clashed with German police on Saturday night on their way to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. During the so-called fan walk, Turkish fans performed the wolf salute en masse, which was not tolerated by the police.

The Berlin police are appealing to Turkish fans on X. “During the fan walk, the wolf salute was seen en masse. Emergency services then stopped the procession and asked them not to make the gesture again. A fan walk is not a platform for political messages.”

The police were not satisfied with the response to the call, after which it was decided to break off the fan walk. The supporters' bus that accompanied the procession was stopped and supporters were asked to go to the stadium individually, on condition that they had a ticket for the match.

Turkey will play the quarter-finals of the European Championship against the Netherlands on Saturday at 21:00. The Turks will have to do without Merih Demiral, who gave the wolf salute during the cheering against Austria and was suspended for two matches. The gesture is linked to the Grey Wolves, an ultra-nationalist group in Turkey.

Demiral, who scored twice against Austria, cheered by moving his middle and ring fingers of both hands to his thumbs, while clearly holding his index fingers and pinkies up. There was an immediate commotion about Demiral's way of cheering.

Demiral was not aware of any wrongdoing. “I am very happy that I scored two goals. How I scored the fourth had to do with my Turkish identity. I saw people in the stadium making that gesture too,” he said afterwards.

The suspension caused great consternation in Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also reacted angrily to UEFA's decision. Erdogan travelled to Berlin because of the commotion and will be in the stadium on Saturday evening.

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