‘Scapegoat’ Ozil should quit German team – Father

The father of Mesut Ozil said Sunday his son should quit Germany’ s national squad after he was “ made the scapegoat ” for Die Mannschaft ’ s shock first – round defeat at the World Cup .

Ozil , 29, has come in for hefty criticism in Germany after the World Champions crashed out in Russia , finishing bottom of their group ,National Daily learnt.

Pressure had already been mounting on the Arsenal midfielder in the World Cup run- up over a controversial photograph with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that was seized on to question his loyalty to Germany.

Bierhoff later backtracked , apologising that he “ was wrong ”

Ozil senior said he believed his son had agreed to have a photograph taken with Erdogan only out of “ politeness ” and that it was never meant to be a political statement .

He also defended Ozil for not having spoken out to clarify his position .

“ He no longer wants to explain himself, he no longer wants to have to defend himself all the time . He has been playing for nine years in the German team … including becoming world champions with the A-team .

“ He has contributed a lot for this country. It has always been : if we win, we win together.
“But when we lose , we lose because of Ozil ? He is now getting whistled at and made a scapegoat . I can understand if he feels insulted , ” said the midfielder ’ s father .

Calling the treatment accorded to his son “ so unfair ”, Ozil senior said “he needs to decide for himself. But if I were in his place, I ’ d say – thanks a lot but that’ s it !”

“ The hurt has grown too strong. And who knows what’ ll happen at the next match . In Mesut ’ s place, I would step down . But that’ s just my very personal opinion , ” he said .