Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he spoke with Mesut Ozil after the midfielder's retirement from playing for Germany and has decried the 'racist attitude' the playmaker faces.
Ozil announced his international retirement on Sunday, weeks after Germany's first-round World Cup exit. The Arsenal star was criticized for posing for photos with Erdogan before the tournament and during the Turkish elections.
Ozil criticized the German football federation, its president, fans and media for what he regarded as racism in how people with Turkish roots were treated, defending the Erdogan meeting in the process.
Speaking to Turkish journalists on Sunday, Erdogan said: 'it's truly unacceptable that a young man who has given everything to the German national team and has contributed to its success is facing such a racist attitude because of his religion.'
A spokesperson for the Turkish Football Federation followed suit, releasing a public statement.
'Following international footballer Mesut Ozil's statements this week, the Turkish Football Federation has been asked to comment on the player's views and recent experiences,' it read.
'The TFF offers its full support to Mesut ozil and his family and we condemn the treatment, threats and derogatory messages that he has received because of his heritage and background.
'Every player, no matter whether they are in the public eye or not, has a right to be protected from abuse, discrimination and messages expressing hate.
'All members of the global football community must be united in our continued efforts to drive out racism and intolerance – and we must work together to ensure football can realise its potential to achieve positive social impact that promotes the values of inclusivity and respect.'
Sudcsuy
126
am not muslim but i was very shocked that ozil was disgraced by the German people. No one should be racist by religion or their heritage. Feeling very hurt by this news .there is no any right to discriminate people like this. Me as a Fan of Germany national team .this is not right .All people over the world are same .where they are muslim christian or from other religion. I was not excepting this from Germany. And this is not Good future for Germany national team as well. Say no to racism
ST-B
85
DFB president and national team manager are trying to save their position after the disastrous performance in group stage of wc by blaming one player who was elected 5 times as German player of the year and crowned as world champion . and the worst of all are others like Mathaus, effenberg, and exprisoner hoeness whome instead of criticizing the performance of the whole team joined forces with DFB to attack ozil , shame on the rest of the team whome did not stand with ozil and defended him .