BERLIN — Mesut Ozil is quitting Germany’s national soccer team after receiving intense criticism over his decision to pose for a picture with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
In a series of statements posted Sunday on Twitter, Ozil announced his retirement from international soccer. He attacked the German federation (known as DFB), its president, fans and the news media, criticizing them for what he said was racism and double standards in the treatment of people with Turkish roots.
Citing anti-Turkish comments from far-right politicians and fans, the 29-year-old Ozil said he would “no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.