Ozil quits German national side quoting racism over Turkish heritage

BERLIN (Reuters) – German soccer star Mesut Ozil said on Sunday he would not play for the national team because he faced "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots.

His impassioned statement is one of the strongest issued by a player in recent years on the subject of racism and mixed reactions.

It comes a political debate in Germany about an influx of 1.6 million migrants since mid-2014 that has seen a rise of the far right at the expense of traditional parties.

Ozil, 29, was a key member of Germany's World Cup-winning side in 2014 and has been voted by fans as the team's player of the year since 2011.

But the creative midfielder faced a barrage of criticism at home for having his photograph taken with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in May.

He and Ilkay Gundogan, a team mate also of Turkish descent, who were with Erdogan as well, were jeered by German fans in warm-up games before the World Cup in Russia.

Germany failed to qualify from the group stage, making their earliest exit from the tournament in 80 years and have been one of the scapegoats for their unsuccessful title defense.

Ozil, who plays for English club Arsenal, said German Football Association (DFB) President Reinhard Grindel had blamed him for Germany's poor performance.

"In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose," Ozil wrote in a lengthy statement in English posted on his Twitter account.

He added he did not feel accepted in German society making donations to German schools and being part of the team that won the World Cup.

"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that, because of this feeling of racism and disrespect," he said.

"I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I do not," he said. "

DUAL HERITAGE

Many european footballers who play for national teams have a heritage in a different country but it is extremely rare for these players to cite racism resulting from those roots as a reason to abandon their national side.

There is also a debate about whether or not it is done in the world of racism in the sport, which many black players have faced over the decades in the form of songs by opposing fans.

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"Is it because it is Turkey? Is it because I'm a Muslim? I think here's an important issue, "he said.

Germany's Social Democrat Justice Minister Katarina Barley said on Twitter: "It's alarming if a great German football player like me does not feel like it."

Veteran Greens lawmaker Cem Ozdemir, who has Turkish roots, said Ozil's unconvincing goal was added: "The way the leadership DFB is at least as disastrous – Grindel is hacking our history of integration to pieces. Do they want young German-Turks to start playing for Erdogan soon? The DFB needs a fresh start. "

But others criticized Ozil, with Thomas Bareiss, a senior member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative, saying Ozil's accusations of racism and a lack of respect were "out of place".

Mass-selling newspaper Bild said: "Ozil is reeling in the victim role that has nothing to do with reality".

Ozil has 92 caps for Germany and has scored 23 goals.

Earlier on Sunday Ozil defended the photograph in which he was pictured beaming with Erdogan, who was campaigning for re-election at the time.

"For me having a picture with President Erdogan was not about politics or elections, it was about the highest office of my family's country," he said.

"TWO HEARTS, ONE GERMAN, ONE TURKISH"

Relations between Germany and Turkey have been arrested by the government in September, 2016. Germany is home to some 3 million people with Turkish roots.

Germany and Turkey are both bidding to host the Euro 2024 tournament and the UEFA will hold a meeting on Sept. 27 to choose between them.

Ozil said his mother was always respectful and remember his ancestry, heritage and family traditions, adding: "I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish."

Many fans and politicians in Germany were angered by the photo with Erdogan and it was widely criticized by politicians and Germany's football federation, which argued that Erdogan did not respect German values.