Goal.com · Jul 22, 2018
Ozil finally breaks silence over Erdogan meeting
Mesut Ozil has finally released a statement explaining his meeting with controversial Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, insisting that there was no political motive involved.
Both Ozil and fellow Germany international Ilkay Gundogan – both of whom have Turkish roots - were pictured with Erdogan during a meeting in London, leading to outcry from pundits and the media.
Indeed, a number of high profile names including Oliver Bierhoff and Ottmar Hitzfeld suggested that the pair should not have been allowed to represent Die Mannschaft at the World Cup due to their actions.