Germany a role model, not racist – Kroos rejects Ozil claims again

Toni Kroos has again rejected Mesut Ozil's accusations of racism against the German Football Federation (DFB), insisting the national team has proven over many years to be a "role model for all society".

Arsenal star Ozil announced his retirement from international football in July and accused DFB president Reinhard Grindel of discrimination and "incompetence".

Ozil – who made his claims in a lengthy three-part letter – felt he had been scapegoated for Germany's poor World Cup showing as a result of his May meeting with Turkey's controversial president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The midfielder, who has Turkish heritage, has received precious little support from his former team-mates in the Germany…