Ozil is ignoring my calls and texts: Joachim Low

Ozil is ignoring my calls and texts: Joachim Low

Mesut Ozil has been condemned by Germany manager Joachim Low for not speaking to the manager before announcing his international retirement.

The Arsenal playmaker quit after Germany failed to get out of their World Cup group amid unrest over Ozil and Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan - both of Turkish descent - posing for pictures with Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The German FA criticised the pair and Ozil responded with his racism claims against some officials.

Speaking on the topic, Joachim Low said: “Mesut's adviser called me to inform me Mesut would issue the statement. The player himself did not call me, which normally players have done in the past.

“Mesut has still not called me and for the last two weeks I have unsuccessfully tried to reach him. He has chosen this path. I have to accept that.

“Mesut made allegations of racism but I can clearly say that in the DFB (German FA) there has never been racist comments. The topic has taken a lot of energy, but it should not be an alibi. The statement from Ozil was perhaps a bit hasty. There has never an approach of racism in our team.

“Players with an immigrant background have always enjoyed playing for us and nothing has changed.”

 

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