Özil shows support for Turkey's Demiral by sharing wolf salute photo

Former German player Mesut Özil has shared a photograph on Instagram of Turkey defender Merih Demiral's controversial wolf salute, in a show of support for the Euro 2024 quarter-finalists.

He posted the photograph a few hours before Turkey's last-eight clash with the Netherlands in Berlin, along with the caption "Come on Turkey!"

Demiral had been banned by UEFA for two games for the wolf gesture, which he used to celebrate his second goal in the 2-1 last-16 win over Austria.

It is viewed by many as a far-right salute and a symbol of oppression against ethnic minorities in and around Turkey.

But Turkish politicians and sports officials have decried the ban and Turkey's ultra fans have vowed to reproduce it at the Berlin Olympiastadion.

The wolf salute is also linked to the ultra-nationalist MHP party, with is an alliance partner of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is flying in for Saturday's game.

Özil's Germany career effectively ended after he was photographed with Erdogan in 2018, sparking a backlash in Germany about where the German-born Turk's loyalties lay.