Ozil’s departure draws mixed response
BERLIN — Mesut Ozil’s angry departure from Germany’s national team amid accusations of racism drew mixed reactions at home Monday, prompting both sharp criticism of the player and concern over the country’s attitude toward Germans with foreign roots.
The Arsenal star announced his retirement from international football Sunday, weeks after Germany’s first-round World Cup exit. He attacked the German football federation (DFB), its president, fans and media for what he saw as racism in treating people with Turkish roots.
“I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose,” the German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants wrote, complaining that “I am still not accepted into society.”
Justice Minister Katarina Barley tweeted: “It is an alarm signal when a great German footballer such as @MesutOzil1088 feels unwanted in his country because of racism and not represented by the DFB.”
The DFB said it regrets Ozil’s decision to quit and rejected being linked with racism.
Ozil defended his decision to pose for photos with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan two months ago, along with teammate Ilkay Gundogan. He cited “respect” for Erdogan’s office.
At the time, DFB president Reinhard Grindel publicly accused the players of allowing themselves to be “exploited” for political purposes by Erdogan, who has drawn criticism for increasingly authoritarian behaviour. Some German politicians questioned their loyalty to Germany and suggested they should be removed from the squad.
No top German football officials have resigned since the team’s elimination last month, and some have appeared willing to make Ozil the scapegoat. Grindel has demanded that the player — who, unlike Gundogan, had remained silent — provide an “answer” on the photo.
In a statement after a telephone conference of its leadership Monday, the DFB said it is “very grateful” to Ozil, who made 92 appearances for Germany.