FANS were seen holding up pictures of Mesut Ozil while covering their mouths with their hands during Germany’s World Cup clash with Spain.
Niclas Fullkrug’s 83rd minute strike saw the Germans seal a dramatic 1-1 draw in Sunday’s group stage clash.
But during the game, some supporters were seen standing while holding pictures of former Germany international Ozil.
As they flashed the pictures towards the pitch, many also covered their hands with their mouths.
The move referenced Germany’s players doing the same gesture before their shock opening game defeat to Japan.
Hansi Flick’s men were not allowed to wear the OneLove armband in support of the LGBTQ community.
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And by putting their hands over their mouths, they protested Fifa’s decision by insinuating they had been silenced from criticising World Cup hosts Qatar.
But the fans present against Spain were apparently highlighting perceived hypocrisy of Germany’s treatment of Ozil, now 34.
He retired from international duty after Germany’s early 2018 World Cup exit, claiming he was scapegoated over his Turkish background.
The former Arsenal man, now at Istanbul Basaksehir, was also criticised in his homeland for meeting with controversial Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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And in a stunning statement, he said at the time: “The treatment I have received from the DFB (German Football Association) and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt.
“I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten.
“I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t.
“When high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda, then enough is enough.
“This is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted.”
Ozil also said about former German FA president Reinhard Grindel: “People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual‑heritage families.
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“Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent. In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
And just last year, Ozil said: “I wish the German national team success, but I will never play for them again.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
