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'Germany fans deserve an answer' - Ozil must explain Erdogan meeting, says DFB president

Controversy refuses to leave the Arsenal midfielder alone, with the head of his country's FA the latest to chip in on the debate

Mesut Ozil owes Germany supporters an explanation over his pre-World Cup meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says president of the German FA (DFB) Reinhard Grindel.

Ozil and Germany team-mate Ilkay Gundogan were photographed with controversial Turkey president Erdogan the day before Joachim Low's squad announcement and were subsequently jeered by Germany fans.

Both players have Turkish heritage and Manchester City midfielder Gundogan explained the meeting was not meant as a political statement.

But Ozil is yet to speak publicly, with the Germany national team's general manager Oliver Bierhoff suggesting the Arsenal star should have been omitted from the World Cup squad following his Erdogan meeting.