Germany has summoned Turkey's ambassador as a diplomatic row escalates over a contentious gesture made by a Turkish footballer during a recent match. The German foreign ministry expressed its desire for sport to serve as a unifying force, especially as Germany is set to host Euro 2024.

The incident occurred during Tuesday's game between Turkey and Austria in Leipzig, when 26-year-old defender Merih Demiral celebrated a goal with a salute that mimicked the shape of a wolf's head. This gesture is associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right and ultra-nationalist organization in Turkey. It drew strong reactions from the German side and condemnation from interior minister Nancy Faeser.

Europe's football governing body, UEFA, has announced that it is investigating Demiral for "alleged inappropriate behavior." In response, the Turkish foreign ministry summoned the German envoy to Ankara and criticized the German authorities' reactions as potentially xenophobic.

Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and former minister for EU affairs, called the statements made by Faeser and the ongoing UEFA investigation "unacceptable." He emphasized that the Grey Wolves symbol is not banned in Germany, unlike in France and Austria, where it is outlawed.

The Grey Wolves, known for their involvement in acts of violence and political assassinations during the 1970s and 1980s, have recently faced increasing scrutiny. In 2021, the European Parliament called on EU member countries to ban the group, with France and Austria taking action, while Germany has not followed suit.

Adding to the diplomatic tension, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to travel to Berlin on Saturday to attend Turkey's quarterfinal match against the Netherlands, showing his support for the national team. Erdoğan had initially planned to attend a summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Azerbaijan but decided to change his plans to prioritize his country's football team.

As the controversy surrounding the footballer's salute continues, both Germany and Turkey are grappling with the implications for their bilateral relations and the broader discourse on far-right symbols within the sporting arena.