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German FA boss admits Ozil needed more support over ‘racist attacks’
BERLIN, Aug 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The under-fire president of the German
Football Association (DFB), admitted on Sunday that he should have given
Mesut Ozil more support when the midfielder was the target of “racist
attacks”.
“I should have positioned myself more clearly given the racist attacks
from some corners and should have put myself in front of Mesut Ozil,”
Reinhard Grindel told German daily Bild on Sunday.
“Such attacks are unacceptable. I should have found clear words.”
Arsenal midfielder Ozil, 29, announced his shock retirement from
international duty last month in the wake of Germany’s World Cup debacle.
He complained of facing “racism and disrespect”, due to his Turkish
roots, and specifically took aim at Grindel in a three-page statement.
After Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, who also has Turkish family, met Turkey’s
president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May, questions were raised about the pair’s
loyalty to Germany.
Gundogan and Ozil, who were both born in Germany, were booed in a pre-
World Cup defeat to Austria.
“In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but
I am an immigrant when we lose,” Ozil wrote damningly, sparking fierce debate
about integration in Germany.
But while Gundogan made a statement to insist the Erdogan meeting had no
political motivation, Ozil kept silent for two months before walking away
from Germany duty.
In his parting statement, he accused Grindel of failing to back him in
the row over the Erdogan meeting and felt blamed for Germany’s woeful World
Cup display, finishing bottom of their group.
There have been calls for Grindel, 56, who has been head of the DFB since
2016, to resign.
Grindel admits he should have handled things differently, but rejected
Ozil’s claims that he was made a scapegoat for the World Cup debacle.
– Sweeping changes –
“I am sorry he feels let down by the DFB,” Grindel said.
“But it is important to emphasis that after the World Cup, I never
commented on his performances.
“For me it was always clear that we win together and lose together.
“To blame a single player for going out would be absurd.
“After the photos with president Erdogan, Ilkay Gundogan made a clear
statement.
“I would have liked that also from Ozil, because I know from
conversations with fans that they also had questions about it.
“However, this must not be misunderstood as a criticism of his playing
performance.”
Grindel said the door is not closed for Ozil to play for Germany again
under head coach Joachim Loew, who has always supported the attacking
midfielder.
“The board (of the DFB) and the national coach would need to discuss that
together,” said Grindel.
“But so far there has not been a discussion between Joachim Loew and
Mesut Ozil, which I know would be very important to the national coach.”
Loew has promised sweeping changes to the squad he will announce on
August 29 to face World Cup winners France in Munich on September 6.
Grindel wants to bring the Germany team closer to the public with cheaper
tickets for home internationals and open training sessions.
Germany’s World Cup slogan – ‘Best Never Rest’ – was criticised by fans
and Grindel admits the marketing around the team hit the wrong note.
“I also think the concept around the term ‘die Mannschaft’ (the team) is
perceived as very artificial. We should put that to the test,” Grindel added.
BSS/AFP/RY/1645 hrs