Ozil must explain Erdogan meeting, says DFB president

Mesut Ozil owes Germany supporters an explanation over his pre-World Cup meeting with Turkey’s President  Tayyip Erdogan, says president of the German FA (DFB) Reinhard Grindel,National Daily learnt.

Ozil and Germany team-mate Ilkay Gundogan were photographed with controversial Turkey president Erdogan the day before Joachim Low’s squad announcement, and were subsequently jeered by Germany fans.

Both players have Turkish heritage and Manchester City midfielder Gundogan explained the meeting was not meant as a political statement.

But Ozil is yet to speak publicly, with the Germany national team’s general manager Oliver Bierhoff suggesting the Arsenal star should have been omitted from the World Cup squad following his Erdogan meeting.

Grindel indicated the matter had not been closed by the DFB, the body asking Ozil to make a statement on the issue, having acknowledged Gundogan’s apology.

“It’s true that Mesut has not commented yet, which has disappointed many fans because they have questions and expect an answer, and they rightly expect that answer,” Grindel told Kicker.