**Official Football (Soccer) Thread"
- Thread starter ArsenalCannon357
- Start date
Screaming
they gonna have to put somebody on him for the next week smh
Big time
Mesut Ozil retires from Germany citing racism after tensions over Turkish roots
Germany's Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football Sunday at the age of 29, citing racism and lashing out at the president of the German football federation.
The Arsenal midfielder will not add to his 92 caps, 23 goals and 40 assists for his country following political tensions regarding his Turkish roots and being dropped from the starting XI during this summer's World Cup as the defending champions crashed out in the group stage.
Ozil was heavily criticised in Germany for his meeting with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, when he and Ilkay Gundogan posed for a photo with the Turkish president during his visit to London.
The Arsenal midfielder finally broke his silence on the issue Sunday by posting a lengthy statement on social media insisting that he had done nothing wrong, before finally concluding that he was done playing for the German national team.
"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect," he wrote. "I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't."
Born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, Ozil opted to play for Germany in November 2006 when invited by Turkey's FA to take part in a friendly against Italy, saying that he did "not plan to take on Turkish citizenship."
Ozil became a key player for Germany's golden generation, starting by winning the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Benedikt Howedes and Ozil became a core group in the senior team that went on to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Ozil made his senior debut for Germany in February 2009 and went on to become one of the stars of a revived German side at the 2010 World Cup, as the team finished third, starting in every match in South Africa.
He would then start in every game at a major tournament until Germany's 2-1 win against Sweden at the 2018 World Cup, which came after a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening game, amid the ongoing row over his willingness to integrate into German society.
While Gundogan had explained his part in the Erdogan photograph in the lead-up to the World Cup, Ozil opted to remain silent on the issue, leading to political turmoil. The German football federation (DFB) has said the meeting was ill-advised, and Ozil's performances at the World Cup were also heavily scrutinised in the wake of the controversy.
And Ozil on Sunday defended his part in the photo, saying it wasn't about politics but about respecting the office of the presidency, adding that he believed his critics used the photo "as an opportunity to express their previously hidden racist tendencies."
"I'm aware that the picture of us caused a huge response in German media, and whilst some people may accuse me of lying or being deceitful, the picture we took had no political intensions," Ozil wrote. "For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country."
Earlier this month, the head of the German football federation, Reinhard Grindel, had said Ozil owed fans an explanation for his actions when he returned from his post-World Cup holiday. Ozil's statement was posted as Arsenal were preparing to fly to Singapore for a preseason tour, with Ozil having joined up with the squad just in time for the trip.
Ozil said the "mistreatment from the DFB, and in particular" Grindel was the issue that "frustrated" him the most. He accused Grindel of being "far more interested in speaking of his own political views and belittling my opinion" and said the federation turned him into "political propaganda."
"I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly," Ozil wrote. "I know that [Grindel] wanted me out the team after the picture, and publicised his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but [coach] Joachim Low and [director] Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me.
"In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."
Ozil also criticised Grindel's past record as a member of Germany's Parliament, concluding: "People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has many players from dual-heritage families."
Ozil went on to list a number of honours he received for contributing to German society, and questioned why the public appeared reluctant to accept him.
"Are there criteria for being fully German that I do not fit?" he asked. "My friend Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are never referred to as German-Polish, so why am I German-Turkish? Is it because it is Turkey? Is it because I'm a Muslim?"
In an earlier statement, Ozil said "the past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect" on the situation -- adding that having been born in Germany to a Turkish family means that "I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish."
And he explained that his mother taught him as a child to "never forget where I came from."
"Although the German media have portrayed something different, the truth is that not meeting with the President would have been disrespecting the roots of my ancestors, who I know would be proud of where I am today," his statement said. "For me it didn't matter who was President, it mattered that it was the President.
"Having respect for political office is a view that I'm sure both the Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May share when they too hosted Erdogan in London. Whether it had been the Turkish or the German President, my actions would have been no different."
Ozil went on to highlight the charity work he did while in Russia, which included paying for surgeries for 23 children -- a similar venture to one he undertook in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.
He also said several of his commercial partners abandoned him during the media storm, including an unnamed charitable partner and his former school in Gelsenkirchen, who cancelled an event he was set to attend before the World Cup.
He also criticised Mercedes, which has a long-standing sponsorship deal with Ozil and the German football federation. The statement didn't mention the car-maker by name but made a scathing reference to the German government ordering the company to recall more than 200,000 vehicles because of unathorised software devices.
"I was renounced by another partner," Ozil wrote. "As they are also a sponsor of the DFB, I was asked to take part in promotional videos for the World Cup. Yet after my picture with President Erdogan, they took me out of the campaigns and cancelled all promotional activities that were scheduled. For them, it was no longer good to be seen with me, and called the situation 'crisis management.'
"This is all ironic because a German Ministry declared their products have illegal and unauthorized software devices in them, which puts customers at risk. ... Am I right in thinking this is worse than a picture with the President of my family's country? What does the DFB have to say about all this."
Germany's Mesut Ozil announced his retirement from international football Sunday at the age of 29, citing racism and lashing out at the president of the German football federation.
The Arsenal midfielder will not add to his 92 caps, 23 goals and 40 assists for his country following political tensions regarding his Turkish roots and being dropped from the starting XI during this summer's World Cup as the defending champions crashed out in the group stage.
Ozil was heavily criticised in Germany for his meeting with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, when he and Ilkay Gundogan posed for a photo with the Turkish president during his visit to London.
The Arsenal midfielder finally broke his silence on the issue Sunday by posting a lengthy statement on social media insisting that he had done nothing wrong, before finally concluding that he was done playing for the German national team.
"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect," he wrote. "I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't."
Born in Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, Ozil opted to play for Germany in November 2006 when invited by Turkey's FA to take part in a friendly against Italy, saying that he did "not plan to take on Turkish citizenship."
Ozil became a key player for Germany's golden generation, starting by winning the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Sami Khedira, Benedikt Howedes and Ozil became a core group in the senior team that went on to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Ozil made his senior debut for Germany in February 2009 and went on to become one of the stars of a revived German side at the 2010 World Cup, as the team finished third, starting in every match in South Africa.
He would then start in every game at a major tournament until Germany's 2-1 win against Sweden at the 2018 World Cup, which came after a 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening game, amid the ongoing row over his willingness to integrate into German society.
While Gundogan had explained his part in the Erdogan photograph in the lead-up to the World Cup, Ozil opted to remain silent on the issue, leading to political turmoil. The German football federation (DFB) has said the meeting was ill-advised, and Ozil's performances at the World Cup were also heavily scrutinised in the wake of the controversy.
And Ozil on Sunday defended his part in the photo, saying it wasn't about politics but about respecting the office of the presidency, adding that he believed his critics used the photo "as an opportunity to express their previously hidden racist tendencies."
"I'm aware that the picture of us caused a huge response in German media, and whilst some people may accuse me of lying or being deceitful, the picture we took had no political intensions," Ozil wrote. "For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country."
Earlier this month, the head of the German football federation, Reinhard Grindel, had said Ozil owed fans an explanation for his actions when he returned from his post-World Cup holiday. Ozil's statement was posted as Arsenal were preparing to fly to Singapore for a preseason tour, with Ozil having joined up with the squad just in time for the trip.
Ozil said the "mistreatment from the DFB, and in particular" Grindel was the issue that "frustrated" him the most. He accused Grindel of being "far more interested in speaking of his own political views and belittling my opinion" and said the federation turned him into "political propaganda."
"I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly," Ozil wrote. "I know that [Grindel] wanted me out the team after the picture, and publicised his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but [coach] Joachim Low and [director] Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me.
"In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose."
Ozil also criticised Grindel's past record as a member of Germany's Parliament, concluding: "People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has many players from dual-heritage families."
Ozil went on to list a number of honours he received for contributing to German society, and questioned why the public appeared reluctant to accept him.
"Are there criteria for being fully German that I do not fit?" he asked. "My friend Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are never referred to as German-Polish, so why am I German-Turkish? Is it because it is Turkey? Is it because I'm a Muslim?"
In an earlier statement, Ozil said "the past couple of weeks have given me time to reflect" on the situation -- adding that having been born in Germany to a Turkish family means that "I have two hearts, one German and one Turkish."
And he explained that his mother taught him as a child to "never forget where I came from."
"Although the German media have portrayed something different, the truth is that not meeting with the President would have been disrespecting the roots of my ancestors, who I know would be proud of where I am today," his statement said. "For me it didn't matter who was President, it mattered that it was the President.
"Having respect for political office is a view that I'm sure both the Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May share when they too hosted Erdogan in London. Whether it had been the Turkish or the German President, my actions would have been no different."
Ozil went on to highlight the charity work he did while in Russia, which included paying for surgeries for 23 children -- a similar venture to one he undertook in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.
He also said several of his commercial partners abandoned him during the media storm, including an unnamed charitable partner and his former school in Gelsenkirchen, who cancelled an event he was set to attend before the World Cup.
He also criticised Mercedes, which has a long-standing sponsorship deal with Ozil and the German football federation. The statement didn't mention the car-maker by name but made a scathing reference to the German government ordering the company to recall more than 200,000 vehicles because of unathorised software devices.
"I was renounced by another partner," Ozil wrote. "As they are also a sponsor of the DFB, I was asked to take part in promotional videos for the World Cup. Yet after my picture with President Erdogan, they took me out of the campaigns and cancelled all promotional activities that were scheduled. For them, it was no longer good to be seen with me, and called the situation 'crisis management.'
"This is all ironic because a German Ministry declared their products have illegal and unauthorized software devices in them, which puts customers at risk. ... Am I right in thinking this is worse than a picture with the President of my family's country? What does the DFB have to say about all this."
Spurs were looking a bit sloppy. Newcastle especially in the second half were unlucky.
We know our problems. Sacking this clown was step 1.
Getting the front office in tact w/ a director of football and operations is step 2.
LVG was the best choice they fucked that up
LVG was too focused on one thing for my liking. Maybe he would've thrived as DOF, but we'll never know. David Gil might be the man for the job if they can pull him from UEFA.
And from all United supporters, we thank him for his services.
lvg was giving the youth chances mour came and fucked them all up. and like always the the players that he depends on ends up fucking him up.
I feel ya. Mou was just a cancer that needed ending and removal asap. Never seen the game pass someone by so vigorously.
Instead of Chelsea I should have put Liverpool (all the teams Klopp coaches that beat Mourinho's team and few days after Mourinho got fire) but you all know Mourinho is a two seasons coach.
Yea he's never gonna be a long time manager. His coaching model isn't built for long term successes. Dude just wants to play FIFA, spend top dollar, win some silverware and be out.
Yes, sir. I didn't like the signing from day one. Woodward is an arrogant know-nothing who needs to step down or aside for someone who knows what they're doing. Any fool can see the game is changing so fast these days; from season to season almost. Hiring Mou and his park the bus bullshit was just terrible. LVG was too old but was marginally better, at least he had a concept of free-flowing football. Moyes, overwhelmed. So, after Sir Alex, that's Woodward's legacy. It's clear he should have nothing to do with football operations.
Now we gotta hope they get Woodward out or to the side and sign a YOUNG manager who realizes that you can't teach speed. Oh, and who isn't afraid to smack the shit out of fucking Pogba. And gets a pair of big, mobile center backs. Signs DeGea and cuts some more of the dead wood. We've got too many of the same player. We need speedy, shifty mids.
Yeah man...shows that there's some good young talent in the league although Atlanta FC got raped
As a DC United supporter, I'm ok with this..
And don't bring up Acosta.. it's been a long 24 hours
*sigh*
Here's how I see it... if Ole gets us past PSG and Liverpool, there's gonna be huge shouts for him to stay on and as well there should be. Is he a Pochettino or a Zidane? Not exactly, but a homegrown version of them, I'd be ok with.Not to derail this great thread but been looking for this thread to vent about my fucking despicable Chelsea team!
@DJCandle when you guys get a new coach at the end of the season, we want your current acting coach!
Flipside to that... yo what is Sarri doing?! He ain't motivating shit. Them dudes look like they have no interest in football at the moment. Willian is def off to Paris by tonight.
Yeah I am but even tho I'd hoped the Devils made some noise, it's better if they make some small moves instead of overspending on shit we already have or over the hill players. We need a thumper of a centerback and a shifty, fast mid on the attacking right. Those we need bad.
Man, y'all got Pulisic and I really wanted him at MU.Not to derail this great thread but been looking for this thread to vent about my fucking despicable Chelsea team!
@DJCandle when you guys get a new coach at the end of the season, we want your current acting coach!
You never know where a good coach will come from. Ole's tactics weren't too good against Burnley but he took a chance. To his credit he adjusted at the half. Who was Sir Alex before he was Sir Alex? A promising coach but nobody knew he'd become what he did. Same could be said of the majority of other coaches. We know Ole doesn't have all the pieces to be elite yet but why not give him a shot? If he has a good transfer strategy let him do his thing. Just keep fucking woodward out of it. Sign the checks and stfu.