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| MESUT OZIL ( GERMAN FOOTBALL PLAYER) |
Germany's football association (DFB) has "emphatically rejected" allegations of racism from Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, but says it could have done more to protect him from abuse.
Ozil, 29, said he no longer wants to play for Germany, citing "racism and disrespect" within German football.
The midfielder says he received hate mail and threats, and was blamed for Germany's disappointing World Cup.
The DFB said it "regrets the departure of Mesut Ozil from the national team".
It added in a statement: "We emphatically reject the DFB being linked to racism. The DFB has been very involved in integration work in Germany for many years."
He said his recent treatment made him "no longer want to wear the German national team shirt".
"I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose," he said.
MESUT OZIL BACK GROUND STORY
Ozil, a third-generation Turkish-German, was born in Gelsenkirchen and was a key member of his country's 2014 World Cup-winning side.
A month before Germany defended their title, Ozil met Erdogan, along with fellow Germany international Ilkay Gundogan, a Manchester City player who is also of Turkish descent. Ozil says he and Gundogan talked about football with the president.
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IMRAN KHANNEXT PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN |
