Angela Merkel 'respects' Mesut Ozil's decision to retire from international football
The Arsenal star announced his retirement via Twitter on Sunday night – nearly a month on from Germany’s shock World Cup exit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Germany chancellor Angela Merkel respects Mesut Ozil’s decision to retire from international football, a spokeswomen for the German government has said.
The Arsenal star announced his retirement via Twitter on Sunday night – nearly a month on from Germany’s shock World Cup exit.
Explaining his decision to retire, the midfielder attacked the German football federation (DFB), its president, fans and media for what he saw as racism and double standards in treating people with Turkish roots.
Following the announcement, Merkel's spokeswoman stressed that people with migrant backgrounds were welcome in Germany and added that the German chancellor valued Ozil.
“The chancellor values Mesut Ozil highly. He is a footballer who has contributed a great deal to the national team,” said Ulrike Demmer, adding that he has “now made a decision that must be respected.”
Ozil's angry departure from Germany's national team is drawing mixed reactions at home, with concerns raised over criticism of the player and its implications for society.
Merkel's spokeswoman added that the majority of the roughly three million people with Turkish roots who live in Germany are well integrated.
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."
However, foreign minister Heiko Maas cautioned against reading too much into the case.
"I don't think that the case of a multi-millionaire living and working in Britain says much about integration in Germany," he told reporters in Berlin.
"And in any case, the truth is on the pitch. The fact that the Germans were knocked out of the World Cup has little to do Mr. Ozil having his picture taken with Erdogan," he added. "I think everyone involved in this case should reflect. I see few people who in my perception have behaved more or less right in this case."
Additional reporting by Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments