Jude Bellingham and Merih Demiral caused a stir at the European Championship with provocative cheering gestures. This brings back memories of Mario Balotelli, Diego Simeone and the double eagle affair.
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- Jude Bellingham's provocative celebration in the round of 16 is currently being investigated by UEFA. He is facing a ban from playing against Switzerland.
- Turkey's Merih Demiral's celebration also caused a stir. The central defender showed the wolf salute, the hand sign of the right-wing extremist "Grey Wolves".
- Before these two, other footballing greats had already briefly forgotten themselves in the moment of success. One player was even banned for life for cheering.
On Sunday evening, Jude Bellingham became the hero of the European Championship round of 16 match between England and Slovakia. With a spectacular overhead kick in stoppage time, he saved his team in extra time, which ultimately led to victory. But his celebration brought him unexpected attention - and trouble.
On Tuesday, Merih Demiral's celebration was also a talking point. The central defender was the match-winner with two goals in the 2:1 victory against Austria. Demiral celebrated the second goal by showing the wolf salute, the hand sign of the right-wing extremist "Grey Wolves".
In the past, several other stars have caused a stir with their goal celebrations.
A move with consequences?
After scoring the equalizer to make it 1:1, Bellingham turned to the crowd, ran his hand over his mouth and then into his crotch. This gesture caused controversy on social media. Many saw the crotch grab as a provocation against the Slovakian team.
Bellingham himself defended himself on the platform X (formerly Twitter) with the words: "An inside joke to some close friends". Despite his statement, UEFA has launched an investigation into a possible breach of the rules on "decent behavior". Could he now even face a ban? A decision is still pending.
The right-wing extremist wolf salute
Turkish international Merih Demiral caused a stir with his celebratory gesture during the 2:1 win against Austria in the European Championship round of 16. After scoring his second goal on Tuesday evening, the 26-year-old formed the so-called wolf salute with both hands, a hand sign and symbol of the "Grey Wolves".
The supporters of the right-wing extremist "Ülkücü Movement", which is monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany, are known as the "Grey Wolves". In Turkey, the ultra-nationalist MHP is their political representative and ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Islamic-conservative AKP.
Goretzka's heart for Hungary
In the 2021 European Championship group match against Hungary, Leon Goretzka scored for Germany shortly before the end to make it 2:2 and then formed a heart with his hands in the direction of the Hungarian hooligans. The symbolic gesture not only earned him applause, but also strong reactions from the Hungarian fans.
The inglorious double eagle
Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri's celebrations at the 2018 World Cup when they displayed the Albanian double-headed eagle after scoring against Serbia are, of course, unforgettable. As Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, the gestures took on a political dimension. FIFA punished the two players with fines and warnings.
Diego Simeone's cojones
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone showed his "cojones" with a clear gesture to his crotch after a goal against Juventus in 2019. In the second leg, Cristiano Ronaldo retaliated with a similar gesture, sending Juventus through to the quarter-finals.
Thierry Henry's ice-cold provocation
Thierry Henry provoked the Tottenham fans in 2002 by sliding on his knees in front of them after a solo run across half the pitch. The picture went around the world and remains one of the most iconic cheering photos.
Muscle man Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli's celebration in the 2012 European Championship semi-final against Germany is also unforgettable. After scoring his second goal, he bared his muscular upper body - an image that is etched in the memory of football fans. Italy then went down to a 4-0 defeat against Spain in the final.
José Mourinho's triumph in Barcelona
José Mourinho caused a sensation in 2010 when he sprinted across the pitch with his index finger raised after reaching the Champions League final despite a defeat at FC Barcelona. Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés finally stopped him, but Mourinho was not deterred. He later said in the press conference: "This is the most beautiful defeat of my life against the best team in the world."
Vucinic cheers against Switzerland in his underpants
It is one of the darkest chapters in the recent history of the Swiss national team. Euro 2012 is the only one of the last eleven major tournaments that Switzerland have missed out on. The reason for this is Montenegro, who finished second behind England in the qualifying group.
The match in Podgorica in October 2010 ended in a 1:0 victory for the Montenegrins. Mirko Vucinic scored the golden goal in the 68th minute. The striker celebrated his goal by putting his pants over his head.
Fowler does the coke
The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton FC on April 3, 1999 ended 3:2 for the "Reds", but went down in history mainly thanks to double goalscorer Robbie Fowler. The Englishman celebrated after his converted penalty by imitating the consumption of cocaine on the baseline.
The celebration had consequences: Fowler was banned for four games and fined 32,000 pounds. Fowler later wrote in his biography that it was a joke and not an innuendo.
Giorgos Katidis and the Hitler salute
Giorgos Katidis caused a scandal in 2013 when he celebrated a goal for AEK Athens with a Hitler salute. As a result, the Greek Football Association banned him for life from all of the country's representative teams.
Deniz Naki's head-down gesture
In 2009, Deniz Naki of FC St. Pauli made a head-down gesture towards the opposing fans after scoring a goal against Hansa Rostock. He later apologized meekly and emphasized that he had not been aware of the implications of the gesture.
