Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to travel to Berlin to attend the 2024 European Championship quarterfinal game between Turkey and the Netherlands, an official said Thursday, after a controversial gesture by a national team player ignited a diplomatic row between Turkey and the host nation, Germany.

Turkey on Wednesday summoned the German ambassador to protest German interior minister Nancy Faeser's criticism of Merih Demiral, who made a hand gesture that is associated with an ultra-nationalist group. The German news agency dpa reported that in response, Germany summoned the Turkish ambassador to Berlin on Thursday.

Demiral scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Austria to earn Turkey's place in Saturday's quarterfinals.

The player made a sign with each hand that is recognized as a symbol of Turkish nationalism after scoring his second goal on Tuesday....