Erdogan says called Ozil, praises decision to quit German team

Mesut Ozil quit the German national football team, citing “racism” in the criticism of him in the side's World Cup debacle.

“Last night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic,” President Erdogan said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said he had spoken to Turkish-origin football star Mesut Ozil after his decision to quit the German team on the grounds of racism, offering his praise for the Arsenal player's move.

“Last night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic,” Erdogan said, quoted by state TRT Haber broadcaster.

“It is not possible to accept this kind of racist attitude towards a young man who poured so much sweat for the German national team's success.”