The European Football Championship in Germany witnessed Turkish fans displaying ultranationalist symbols and chanting racist slogans, prompting calls from the Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED) to ban the Grey Wolves, a Turkish ultranationalist organisation.
In July 2023, a photograph of former German national team footballer Mesut Özil stirred controversy when he revealed a chest tattoo featuring three crescent moons and a howling wolf, symbols associated with the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and its extremist wing, the Grey Wolves. With 18,500 members, the Grey Wolves (Bozkurtlar) are considered the largest right-wing extremist movement in Germany. This incident sparked renewed attention on the group’s activities and influence within Turkish communities in Europe.
During the European Football Championship, particularly surrounding the match between Georgia and Turkey, Turkish supporters were observed making the Grey Wolves’ wolf salute in several German cities. Additionally, fans reportedly disrupted Georgia’s national anthem with whistles and chanted racist slogans within the stadium.
Ruken Akça and Kerem Gök, co-chairs of the Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED), emphasised the intersection of Turkish nationalism and football culture, linking it to broader political agendas. They demanded a ban on the Grey Wolves in Germany, citing the organisation’s role in promoting ethnic nationalism and supporting Turkey’s military actions against Kurdish groups. According to Akça and Gök, Turkish football clubs often engage in public displays of support for military operations, which they argue further politicises the sport.
Highlighting the Grey Wolves’ extensive network in Germany, KON-MED representatives noted the organisation’s 303 affiliated associations and expressed concerns over its impact on social cohesion and minority safety. They described the Grey Wolves’ symbol, derived from ancient Turkish mythology, as a representation of their purported strength and aggression, promoting a vision of a greater Turkish empire known as ‘Turan’.
KON-MED underscored the security risks posed by the Grey Wolves, particularly targeting minorities such as Kurds, Armenians, Jews, Christians, Greeks and LGBTQ+ individuals. They condemned the presence of Turkish police forces deployed during the European Championship in Germany, warning that it could re-traumatise refugees and asylum seekers who fled Turkey due to political repression.
The statement concluded with a call for the prohibition of the Grey Wolves in Germany and urged authorities to expose their networks and sources of funding. Additionally, KON-MED advocated for enhanced anti-discrimination initiatives in sports and society at large, aimed at safeguarding vulnerable youth from extremist ideologies and promoting inclusive democracy.
