Mesut Ozil has come under severe criticism once again for his retirement from Germany after the 2018 FIFA World Cup, in which he cited racism as the contributing factor.
Ozil received relentless backing around the football fraternity in what many claimed as a brave decision of retirement, after being questioned over his loyalty due to his Turkish heritage.
While the German FA [DFB] came out to admit to their errors of handling the critcism the 29-year-old received upon being pictured with the President of Turkey, Frankfurt Sporting director Fredi Bobic has laid into the Gunners playmaker.
“I think that’s a bit cowardly,” Bobic told Bild am Sonntag. “Ozil’s criticism of social media, especially in the direction of the German Football Association (DFB), is unbearable.
“This blanket charge of racism simply does not correspond to reality.
“He could have given an interview somewhere, live on TV. For us footballers, the rule is ‘be a man and stand up.’
“I would allow that to a player who is 18 or 19 years old, but a player who has been in the business for so long, 29 years old and world champion, needs to know what this looks like,” Bobic added.
“If he does not know that, then he is either totally naive – I cannot imagine that – or it is calculating and he wanted to be provocative, or else he is alienated, of course, I understand the two hearts that beat in his chest, but nevertheless, you must know that you have a great responsibility.”
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