Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil has quit international football with immediate effect, hitting out at what he perceived to be unfair discrimination surrounding his meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ozil, 29, was part of the Germany squad that exited the World Cup in Russia at the group stage and was the target of criticism for his performances as well as his meeting with Erdogan who has been accused of human rights abuses.
The Arsenal playmaker has Turkish ancestry and defended his actions in a lengthy statement, the first time he has publicly addressed the matter.
“For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn’t about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family’s country,” Ozil said in a statement on Twitter.
“My job is a football player and not a politician, and our meeting was not an endorsement of any policies.
“The treatment I have received from the DFB (German Football Association) and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt,” Ozil added.
“I feel unwanted and think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.
“People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual-heritage families. Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent.
“It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” he added.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.”
jbinnie
Guest
Leaving the political intrigue out of his discussion it shouldn't surprise any student of the game as to why Ozil has quit German representative football. The lad is a gifted player when on the ball,no doubt , but his work rate at winning back ball possession is a factor of his game that is sadly lacking, showing not only in German appearances but his weekly efforts with Arsenal. This is a flaw that does not sit well with German international philosophy, when ,in the past,, they have always been recognised for their discipline and overall attitude to all aspect of the game ,be it defensive or attacking. Ozil will not be missed by Germany,they have numerous players better suited to their overall game than the diminutive play-maker offers. As the writer suggests there may have been a few recent attempts to alter Germany's attitude to the game but this latest episode,the World Cup "surrender" will just as surely see steps being taken to recover former glories. Cheers jb,
Wolly
Roar Guru
You call it discrimination I call it backlash. Wouldn’t be surprised if some have gone too far but you need to consider some of the things Erdogan has said recently in relation to Germany and Europe itself.
KP
Guest
Bloke's quit international football because of discrimination and the best you can comment is "his eyes are offside??"
Matt
Guest
Your eyes are offside