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Mesut Ozil racism row not to blame for Germany's World Cup exit - Joachim Low

Germany coach Joachim Low is "disappointed" that Mesut Ozil did not personally inform him of his decision to quit international football but insisted the racism row surrounding the midfielder did not contribute to the country's World Cup failure.

Earlier this month, Ozil announced that he would not play for Germany again amid claims of racist treatment by the German football federation (DFB) and its president, Reinhard Grindel. He did not claim racism within the national squad.

Low, whose Germany side were knocked out in the group stage at the World Cup in Russia, said the Arsenal midfielder's representative had told him about the decision.