UEFA suspends Demiral for gesture

UEFA’s two-game ban of Turkey player Merih Demiral on Friday for a hand gesture at the European Championship, an incident that led to a diplomatic row between Turkey and Germany. The ban rules Demiral out of the quarterfinal against the Netherlands on Saturday, and a semifinal should Turkey progress. The Turkish Football Federation joined Turkish government officials in denouncing the suspension but said it can’t appeal against it because it’s under the three-game threshold. The leader of Turkey’s nationalist party called on the team to boycott Saturday’s game and return home unless UEFA’s “shameful decision” is reversed. After scoring his second goal in Turkey’s win over Austria on Tuesday, Demiral made a sign with each hand that is used by Turkish nationalists and associated with the Turkish ultra-nationalist organization Ulku Ocaklari, widely known as the Gray Wolves. “We consider it unfair this ban, because that was not a political gesture. It was interpreted as such, but it was just something that was not properly understood,” Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said.

It’s Luka vs. Giannis for shot at Paris

Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo have faced off nine times in their NBA careers, and those games have never disappointed. They go head-to-head again Saturday — but like never before. Doncic, pictured, and Slovenia will play Antetokounmpo and Greece in one of the eight semifinal games of the Olympic qualifying tournaments that are taking place to determine the last four berths in the men’s basketball field for the Paris Games. The game in Piraeus, Greece, is the first time the two megastars will face one another while representing their senior national teams. “We’re looking forward to this,” Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulic said. The last time Doncic and Antetokounmpo played head-to-head was Feb. 3, when Antetokounmpo scored 48 points for the Bucks, Doncic finished with 40 for the Mavs, and the Bucks prevailed 129-117. It was the seventh consecutive time in a Luka vs. Giannis matchup that both played and finished with at least 27 points. “Both teams have the same goal,” Sekulic said.

Garcia expelled by WBC for slurs

Ryan Garcia was expelled by the World Boxing Council on Thursday after he repeatedly used racial slurs against Black people and disparaged Muslims in comments livestreamed on social media. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the penalty against Garcia on the social media platform X. “Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman posted. “We reject any form of discrimination.” Garcia posted an apology of sorts on X. “I was trolling I want all the killing to stop,” Garcia wrote. “I love everyone sorry if I offended you.” An attorney representing Garcia did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. Last month, Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, which also ruled that his April 20 victory over Devin Haney would be considered a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Garcia, denounced Garcia’s comments in a post on Friday. —AP