The chronology to resign from the national team

Mesut Özil. (Photo: Peter Hartenfelser / Imago)

14. May: The photos of the German football internationals Özil and Gündogan shortly before the nomination for the World Cup are causing a sensation. Professionals can be photographed in London with Turkish leader Erdogan. The photos are published by the party of Erdogan. He welcomes criticism in Germany.

May: The two Turkish-born players born in Gelsenkirchen are part of the national team of the national coach Löw. Criticism continues. The president of the DFB, Reinhard Grindel, speaks of a "mistake" of the two. But it recalls a moderate treatment of the subject.

19. May: Özil and Gündogan meet in Berlin with German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In addition, they are conducting a clarification conversation with the DFB management. The public does not learn how the two football stars explain in-house.

2. June: The discussion is not over, even two weeks after the meeting of Erdogan. During the warm-up match in Austria, there are isolated whistles against the two German internationals from the block of German supporters.

June: Özil remains silent. Gundogan declares the media day of the national team of individual media. "Because of our Turkish roots, we still have a very strong connection with Turkey, but that does not mean that we have never claimed that Mr. Steinmeier is not our president or that Ms. Merkel is not not our chancellor, "Gundogan said in an interview with the MPA. Özil and he would never have wanted to make a political statement. "

7. June: DFB manager Oliver Bierhoff tries to end the debate with a Basta announcement a week before the start of the World Cup. "What should we have done more? I think we have done a lot – and now that's enough," says Bierhoff in South Tyrol a little upset.

Oliver Bierhoff (Image: Peter Hartenfelser / Imago)

8. June: The wish is not fulfilled The whistles against Gundogan are stronger in Saudi Arabia 2-1 that in Austria .The midfielder leaves the Arena Leverkusen. "This has already hurt me," says Löw.The teammates puzzle. "It is always said that the subject is "Apparently, this is not the case," said Sami Khedira

. June: There is no news from Özil. The 27-year-old Gundogan tweets against him despite the whistles: "Last match before the World Cup and always grateful to play for this country."

10. June: League President (DFL) Reinhard Rauball criticizes the DFB for its crisis management in the Özil / Gündogan case. "The subject has indeed been underestimated," he says of "Bild am Sonntag". "And I also believe that you can not do it alone with the measurements and explanations that have been done so far."

12. June: The "Sport Bild" reports "a separate and confidential six-eyed conversation" by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with Özil and Gündogan in a training camp.

13. June: According to national coach Joachim Loew, after arriving at the World Cup headquarters in Watutinki, his job was to bring Özil and Gündogan to form. For him, "everything is said on this subject".

Joachim Löw makes a statement to the press on July 20 in Frankfurt. (Image: Alexander Becker / EPA)

14. June: Team captain Manuel Neuer promises Özil and Gündogan to "fully support" their colleagues from the national team.

June: The Bierhoff team manager wants to postpone the involvement in the Erdogan case: "After the World Cup this is also the time. "

16. June: In an interview "Spiegel", Löw declares: "These two players are really well integrated in Germany. I can assure you. "

17. June: The captain of the Neuer team says "Bild am Sonntag" to the Erdogan case: "In the beginning, it was a little disturbed in the team, so it was not easy. was even stressful. " It's now but gone. The German team loses the opening match of the World Cup 0: 1 against Mexico. Özil disappoints, Gündogan remains on the bench.

23. June: In the second match of the World Cup against Sweden, Özil must watch for the first time a tournament under coach Löw. Gundogan enters, plays poor. A late goal from Toni Kroos saves the win 2-1.

27. June: Against South Korea Özil is back in the starting lineup, the 0: 2 and the first round of the World Cup of a DFB team, but can not prevent despite a good performance. Gündogan is only a spectator.

30. June: Özil writes on Twitter three days after the World Cup: "It will take time for me to postpone it."

1. July: Gündogan assures in social networks that he was "proud to participate in my first world championship for Germany".

6. July: Oliver Bierhoff irritated at statements in a "world" interview: "We have never forced the players of the German national team to do anything, but we have always tried to convince for a cause. We did not succeed with Mesut. And in this regard, one would have to think about the opportunity to give up athletically. "Bierhoff comes later and feels misunderstood and it was not bad to take Özil to the World Cup

8. July: DFB President Grindel, calls for a public statement of Özil via "Kicker" This should "express publicly for his own benefit"

DFB President Reinhard Grindel (Image: Alexander Becher / EPA)

22 July: Özil breaks his silence, defends his photos in social networks with Erdogan, attacks the DFB and his boss Grindel and raises serious accusations against the German media and a sponsor of the DFB. "With a heavy heart and after much deliberation, because of recent events, I will not play for Germany at international level anymore. , as long as I feel this feeling of racism and disrespect, "writes Özil

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