Turkey take on Dutch in politically charged quarter-final

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the match at Olympiastadion amidst a diplomatic row

BERLIN:

Turkey face the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 quarter-final on Saturday whose lead-up has been dominated by a diplomatic row between the Turks and Germany.

In the other quarter-final England aim to move a step closer to ending a 58-year wait to win a major tournament by beating Switzerland.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the match at Berlin's Olympiastadion amidst a diplomatic row between his country and host nation Germany over a two-match ban handed to Turkey defender Merih Demiral.

The centre-back, who scored both Turkey's goals in a 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16 on Tuesday, has been suspended by UEFA for celebrating with a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.

UEFA said in a statement it was banning Demiral "for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute".

Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned "the symbols of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums".

Turkey then summoned the German ambassador on Wednesday over politicians' reactions to Demiral's celebration.

Turkey's Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak claimed the ban "has no legal basis and that we consider it to be purely political".

Erdogan himself has said Demiral was just "showing his excitement" and several ministers and the spokesman of his ruling AKP party have condemned Faeser's reaction.