Mesut Ozil’s phone call with Erdogan: Turkish president praises Arsenal star for quitting Germany team over ‘racism’
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls Mesut Ozil after the Arsenal star quits Germany team, and praises his ‘completely patriotic’ behaviour
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he phoned Mesut Ozil to back the Arsenal midfielder’s decision to quit the German national team over what he felt was “racism”.
The controversy has caused uproar in Germany after Ozil released an explosive four-page statement on social media slamming German football officials, media and fans for mistreating him over a picture taken with Erdogan – who has been accused of human rights abuses – in London before the World Cup.
The defending champions crashed out the tournament in Russia at the group stage after defeats against Mexico and South Korea, and the 29-year-old feels he was made a “scapegoat” by the German Football Federation (DFB) and some of the country’s politicians.
Ozil, who lifted the 2014 World Cup, was born in Germany but has Turkish roots, and his decision to retire from international football has been warmly received in Turkey.
“On Monday night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic, it is absolutely praiseworthy behaviour,” Erdogan said, in quotes published by state news agency Anadolu.
