Cenk Tosun and Everton deny goal celebration accusations after Rotherham win

Cenk Tosun has denied he celebrated a goal with the hand gesture of a far-right group in Everton’s FA Cup win over Rotherham.

The Turkey striker would have his – and the Blues’ – second goal of the third round tie ruled out for offside by the VAR but Tosun wheeled away having converted James Rodriguez’s free-kick.

But Tosun’s celebration of the goal sparked some controversy after it was suggested he may have formed the sign of a far-right group the ‘Grey Wolves’ with his left hand.

Club officials spoke to Tosun in the immediate aftermath of the tie and the 29-year-old denied making the gesture, or even being aware of the group based in Turkey, who have been described as “ultranationalist” and were banned by the French government late last year after accusing them of: “extremely violent actions, disseminating “extremely violent threats” and creating “incitement to hatred against authorities and Armenians.”

Tosun, instead, says he was simply pointing to the sky in thanks after sliding in to steer Rodriguez’s centre past the Rotherham goalkeeper.

VAR would deem, however, that Tosun was offside and the goal was ruled out.

Everton would grab a second, however, when substitute Abdoulaye Doucoure ran onto Rodriguez’s through-ball in extra-time.