German footballer Mesut Ozil leaves the national team, citing racism



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In a statement posted on Twitter, he stated that he "will no longer play for Germany … while I have that feeling of racism and disrespect."

The German National Football Association, the DFB, did not bring news of the playmaker's retirement on his website or social media accounts. Ozil, a German footballer of Turkish origin, was criticized by German media after meeting with Turkish President Racep Tayyip Erdogan in May in London, alongside his German teammate Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City, who is also in trouble. Turkish origin. Cenk Tosun, who plays for Premier League club Everton

Erdogan was re-elected president last month following a high-profile election campaign. The victory came after a two – year emergency that has drained tens of thousands of its political opponents.

It has been widely denounced by human rights groups and governments, including Germany, for its treatment of dissent in Turkey.

Ozil said that the meeting with the Turkish president was apolitical, that they had talked about football, and that he "would be disrespectful to the roots of his ancestors" when he had refused to meet Erdogan while he was in London. Erdogan would have used the footage to meet him footballers in his re-election campaign.

At the time, DFB President Reinhard Grindel criticized the operation, saying that the sport and its national association "defend values ​​that are not sufficiently respected by Mr. Erdogan", according to the website. Web site of the DFB

. Our international players did not let themselves be manipulated for their election campaign, which certainly did not help the DFB in its integration work.

  Ozil reacts in the last match of the World Cup of Germany, against South Korea.The holders lost 2-0, collapsing the tournament.

In the statement released Sunday, Ozil said that a section of the German media had "several times" blamed his double heritage and "a simple photo" – posing with Erdogan – – "for a bad World Cup in the name of 39, a whole team. "

Germany suffered a disappointing defeat of its 2014 trophy in Russia, failing to finally get out of the group stage of the tournament.

Made for feel unwelcome

Ozil, who plays for Arsenal in the English Premier League and has worked with the Spanish giant Ol Real Madrid and FC Schalke 04 in the German Premier League, says the criticism makes him feel less than completely accepted in the national team.

"The treatment I received from the DFB (German Football Federation) and from many others no longer allows me to wear the jersey of the German national team.

"In the eyes of … Grindel and his followers, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."

Although the player was born in the country and that he won the World Cup in 2014, he is still not accepted in society.I am treated as "different."

"Is it because it's Turkey?" because I am a Muslim? "

Debate on nationality, ethnicity

The decision takes place behind the scenes of a debate about nationality against the On the football pitch, the South African comedian Trevor Noah joking about the fact that the World Cup, won by France on July 15, was won by "Africa". the French national team.

"Yes, yes, Africa won the World Cup! Africa won the World Cup! "Noah joked about the July 17 episode." I understand, I understand, it must be said that it is the France team, but look at these guys – you do not have that tan dragging in the south of France, "said Noah.

Ambassador of France In the United States, Gerard Araud reprimanded the comedian in a letter which emphasized that "the rich and varied origins of these actors reflect the diversity of France" and equated the appreciation of the South African comedian's race to "the argument of white supremacy" [19659002] Noah said that he was celebrating the Africanity of the players, without harming their Frenchness.

Ozil is currently on pre-season tour with Arsenal, where the English team will face the champion de France of Paris St Germain and Spanish Atletico Madrid at the International Champions Cup in Singapore. [1965] 9024] [ad_2]
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