Reinhard Grindel says that he feels "sorry" that the Arsenal star felt "deserted" by the German FA
German Football Federation (DFB) president Reinhard Grindel has acknowledged he could have taken a different approach to the recent controversy surrounding Mesut Ozil.
Ozil was widely condemned after posing in London for a photograph with authoritarian Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The 29-year-old then struggled to produce his best form as holders Germany surprisingly exited the World Cup in the group stage in Russia.
Ozil subsequently announced his retirement from international football amid accusations of discriminatory behaviour.