Turkey president Erdogan terms Mesut Ozil's move as 'patriotic decision'

Former German midfielder Mesut Ozil. Pic/AFP and Tayyip Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had spoken to Turkish-origin football star Mesut Ozil after his decision to quit the German team on the grounds of racism, offering his praise for the Arsenal player's move. "Last night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic," Erdogan said.

"It is not possible to accept this kind of racist attitude towards a young man who poured so much sweat for the German team's success. This cannot be tolerated." Ozil's decision to quit playing for Germany and his strongly-worded four-page statement caused uproar in Germany even as it was applauded by Turkish ministers. He had faced heavy criticism during the World Cup, especially over a photograph with Erdogan in May ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls in Turkey.

Ozil, a key member of the squad which won the 2014 World Cup, criticised the German Football Association (DFB) bosses, sponsors and the media. He lamented a lack of support from DFB president Reinhard Grindel. "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose," Ozil, 29, wrote. In his statement, Ozil addressed critics of the photo and said that he was not making a political statement when he appeared with the Turkish leader before the World Cup finals. I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish," said Ozil.

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