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.
Gundogan has since come out to say that he had no political agenda in mind when he met with the president, with Ozil now echoing those sentiments, stating that he was merely respecting the political office of the country of his ancestors.