The president of Germany’s football federation
(DFB) Reinhard Grindel says he made mistakes
in handling the controversy over Mesut Ozil’s
photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
The midfielder called time on his nine-year
career with Germany last week, accusing the
DFB of treating him with “racism and
disrespect” over the issue of a photograph
featuring the player alongside Erdogan which
was taken before the World Cup.
Ozil was critical of the federation, Grindel, fans
and media for what he regarded as racism in
treating people with Turkish roots.
The 29-year-old defended the meeting with
Erdogan, who draws widespread criticism in
Germany for being increasingly authoritarian.
Grindel said on Thursday he regretted that the
federation’s criticism of the photo “was abused
for racist slogans”.
He added: “The resignation statement by Mesut
Ozil has triggered a debate on racism in
general and the ability of football to integrate
in particular. As DFB President, I do not want
to escape this debate.”
“In hindsight, I, as president, should have
unequivocally said what for me and the
association is obvious: any form of racial
hostility is intolerable.”


https://365trendies.com.ng/2018/07/26/germany-football-president-reinhard-grindel-admit-mistakes-over-handling-of-mesut-ozil/