Turkish Coach Defends Demiral Ban Impact

Turkey's coach, Vincenzo Montella, expressed dissatisfaction over defender Merih Demiral's two-game suspension for a gesture, denying its political nature and aiming to fuel Turkish pride further for the Euro 2024 quarter-finals against the Netherlands. Despite the ban linked to a controversial salute, Montella emphasized the team's motivation and anticipated strong support from fans, particularly in Berlin with a significant Turkish diaspora. The young Turkish team, featuring standout players like Arda Guler, aims to manage emotions effectively against the Dutch, leveraging their energy for an edge in the match. The ban, perceived as unfair by Montella, has sparked diplomatic tensions and drawn attention to right-wing extremist symbols, highlighting the broader implications of the incident within the tournament and beyond.