Fans were seen holding up photos and sketches of Mesut Ozil while covering their mouths during the World Cup clash against Spain.
The fans in question were holding images of the former German player while holding their hands over their mouths in the same way German players do before starting their World Cup campaign against Japan.
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Fans held up photos and sketches of Ozil during their clash with Spain with their hands over their mouths
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Ozil hasn’t played for Germany since 2018 after being at the center of a political storm
German players have covered their mouths after being banned from wearing the OneLove armband to support same-sex relationships – something not allowed in World Cup host country Qatar during their clash with Germany. Saudi Arabia, the visual demonstration representing the feeling that were “voiceless”.
Ozil hasn’t played for his country since the 2018 World Cup, announcing his retirement shortly after Germany’s disappointing group stage exit in Russia.
The 34-year-old German career came to a controversial end after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had been accused of human rights abuses and spoken out on German politics, which had not not been well received by the German public.
Ozil also took aim at former DFB chairman Reinhard Grindel, saying: “People with racially discriminatory backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the biggest football federation in the world which has players from families with double inheritance.
“Attitudes like theirs just don’t reflect the players they are meant to represent. In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I’m German when we win but I’m an immigrant when we lose.”
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Ozil said he will no longer represent Germany
Last year, after signing for Turkish side Fenarbahce, Ozil reiterated his pledge never to play for the German national team again.
He said: “I wish the German national team success, but I will never play for them again.”
