France and England are preparing for their Euro 2024 quarter-final matches amid ongoing parliamentary elections in both countries. French players, led by captain Kylian Mbappé, have been vocal about the political situation in France, urging citizens to vote and prevent the far-right National Rally from gaining power. Mbappé and other players have expressed concerns about the country’s political direction and the urgency of the situation. In contrast, the English team has kept their voting intentions private, with defender John Stones calling their camp a “politics-free zone.”
Meanwhile, Turkey is embroiled in a diplomatic controversy with Germany over a nationalist gesture made by Turkish player Merih Demiral during their match against Austria. The gesture, associated with the Grey Wolves organization, led to calls for sanctions and investigations by UEFA. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan canceled a trip to Berlin to support the team amid the escalating tensions.
The use of nationalist symbols by players and fans has been a recurring issue at Euro 2024, with several countries facing fines from UEFA. Despite the focus on football, the political and nationalist sentiments surrounding the tournament have not gone unnoticed, highlighting the intersection between sports and politics. France and England will compete in the quarter-finals while Turkey faces the Netherlands in a highly anticipated match following the diplomatic row with Germany.
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