Chevronstaff:
Maybe now players with Turkish or other heritage will think twice about playing for
Germany . Its a shame Ozil have been made to feel like this having been born in the country and served them so well..

I think Germany should hold a reconciliatory meeting with Ozil in national interest. Ozil’s move has stained their PR..

Disgusting from Germany . Ozil deserves no hate for his heritage...

tbaba1234:


Ozil has Turkish roots. He can be proud of his turkish heritage. He can be Turkish and German. It is not one or the other.

There is nuance in issues like this. He can love his Turkish roots and his German roots at the same time. It is part of what makes him Ozil.

Johnzzy:
I think Ozil brought this on himself.

You don't associate with a character like Erdogan and not expect a massive backlash. It's just like taking a picture with Bashar al-Assad, claiming he's your root, while you play for Israel.

He was naive.

The deal breaker was when Joachim Low asked him to do a joint press conference to clear the air. Bros started beating around the bush.

Given his level of influence and reach, he should be more discreet next time.

kjhova:


Just as you said, there is nuance in issues like this. There is a big world of a difference between "being Turkish" and "having Turkish roots".

Many of us in Africa don't feel this immigration and citizenship issues like Europeans do being that we are mostly citizens of recently created artificial nations.

Imagine that you are Yoruba and a citizen of a country called Yoruba. Every Emeka or Nnamdi you meet who is a naturalized Yoruba citizen will always be struggling to be accepted as Yoruba by the generality of the population. This is what immigrants face in Europe. Particularly important to note is that Turkey and Germany are nearby neighbours who are usually not best friends. Also important is that Erdogan is presently a pariah of sorts in Europe who recently attempted to hold a big campaign rally for Turkish immigrants in the heart of Germany.

Ozil should know better in this regard as this situation is needless and avoidable. Moreso, it does more harm to the immigration discussion than good.

Upandup:


I hate to buy into arguments such as this. So you're basically saying that the German team failed in the World cup because of a picture Ozil took with the president of Turkey in London at a Charity event?

Come on... there is nothing that justifies racism. Ozil didn't fly to Istanbul to meet Erdogan and congratulate him on the Syrian war. I think Low and the media wants to use him as a sacrifice instead of criticizing Low for his poor selection and decisions at the World.

Stop justifying racism.

Johnzzy:

Where did I mention that the German team failed in the World cup because of his picture with Erdogan.

I feel you guys should understand an argument before jumping into conclusion. Support racism? How?

kjhova:


Mesut Ozil did himself no favours with this bolded line. Considering the diplomatic issues between Germany and Turkey and the general atmosphere in Europe presently concerning immigration and the rise of the right wing parties, he should know better.

This is very much like Kelechi Iheanacho taking pictures with Nnamdi Kanu (when he was still alive?!?!?) or Ahmed Musa seen on tape with Abubakar Shekau..ok maybe not that dramatic but you get the picture, ehn?

aribisala0:


World of difference between "being" and having roots is that for the observer or the person doing the root having or being Turkish. You cannot impose that on anyone it is for each individual to make his choice just like Iwobi did. Just like Anthony Joshua did. If he chooses to photo with Buhaari that is his prerogative


how come that same argument does not apply to Jews and Israel.
Any European Jew can become Israeli whenever they like and no one complains

I do not see how Erdogan is any worse than Netanyahu. How cheap is Palestinia life in Israel. oes the press even carry it?
I do not know what you mean by many of us not feeling citizenship issues like Europeans. Evidence?
No one feels citizenship like Nigerians in my view
Ozil is perfectly entitled

kjhova:


Now my father is ranting and I have no idea which of his numerous off-topic points to attend to.

aribisala0:
You are the one that is naive? The reality is he is being scapegoated because he is Turkish

What kind of "Character" is Erdogan? Do you know him? What are the sources of information you have about him?


How is Netanyahu Trump Obama or Sarkozy a better character?

You think you are thinkig your own thoughts but do not realize you are just running an App.
You are condittioned to believe that Western leaders are nice cuddly people when they are responsible for most of the bloodshed we have seen over the last 50 years.
When the US killed millions in Viet Nam and Iraq did you get any alternative source of media questioning their leaders.
Today they have completely blacked out news from Yemen

It is said until Lions develop their own storytellers the tale of the hunt will belong to man. If you believe that Western leaders are nice people then you are the most naive

Your Israel Analogy is wack.

Is Germany at War with Turkey?

Johnzzy:
I think Ozil brought this on himself.

You don't associate with a character like Erdogan and not expect a massive backlash. It's just like taking a picture with Bashar al-Assad, claiming he's your root, while you play for Israel.

He was naive.

The deal breaker was when Joachim Low asked him to do a joint press conference to clear the air. Bros started beating around the bush.

Given his level of influence and reach, he should be more discreet next time.

Upandup:


I hate to buy into arguments such as this. So you're basically saying that the German team failed in the World cup because of a picture Ozil took with the president of Turkey in London at a Charity event?

Come on... there is nothing that justifies racism. Ozil didn't fly to Istanbul to meet Erdogan and congratulate him on the Syrian war. I think Low and the media wants to use him as a sacrifice instead of criticizing Low for his poor selection and decisions at the World.

Stop justifying racism.

Johnzzy:
I think Ozil brought this on himself.

You don't associate with a character like Erdogan and not expect a massive backlash. It's just like taking a picture with Bashar al-Assad, claiming he's your root, while you play for Israel.

He was naive.

The deal breaker was when Joachim Low asked him to do a joint press conference to clear the air. Bros started beating around the bush.

Given his level of influence and reach, he should be more discreet next time.

aribisala0:
The truth is the photo was controversial politically but that is not Ozil's problem. Where there is no law there is no crime. He broke no rules.

The German FA should have supported Ozil and maybe made very clear rules for the futureThose commenting here are ignorant of one key fact.

Turks are the largest single non German group in Germany and they are not really loved and that is the background to all of this
There is no officiial posture of the German government against Erdogan and there is no official bar to associating with him

kjhova:


Just as you said, there is nuance in issues like this. There is a big world of a difference between "being Turkish" and "having Turkish roots".

Many of us in Africa don't feel this immigration and citizenship issues like Europeans do being that we are mostly citizens of recently created artificial nations.

Imagine that you are Yoruba and a citizen of a country called Yoruba. Every Emeka or Nnamdi you meet who is a naturalized Yoruba citizen will always be struggling to be accepted as Yoruba by the generality of the population. This is what immigrants face in Europe. Particularly important to note is that Turkey and Germany are nearby neighbours who are usually not best friends. Also important is that Erdogan is presently a pariah of sorts in Europe who recently attempted to hold a big campaign rally for Turkish immigrants in the heart of Germany.

Ozil should know better in this regard as this situation is needless and avoidable. Moreso, it does more harm to the immigration discussion than good.

tbaba1234:


This is a bit personal to me.

I am a father of a child with dual citizenship. My child is exposed to Nigerian culture, food and language. She is also exposed to the local way of life here. She is no doubt going to grow up having a connection to both countries. She is not one or the other. She is both.

What sometimes happens to immigrants is that they face enough discrimination that forces them to embrace their roots more than where they were born. Others will face more connection to their birth country.

kjhova:


I feel you bro and I understand where you are coming from. However, to me, this is all the more reason why Mesut should have been more circumspect about the whole photo-up affair. Truth is that, Erdogan's government has since utilized those pictures in propaganda promoting himself and his regime at home.

There are still many Turks on the asylum/residency waiting list in Germany and this avoidable negative media does them no good. Mesut is not a dual citizen as he carries a German passport, and is an icon in Germany. Yes, he has Turkish roots and has the right to identify with Turkish things but a photo-up with Erdogan is political and will always be. Some things are not just worth the stress.

Johnzzy:
I think Ozil brought this on himself.

You don't associate with a character like Erdogan and not expect a massive backlash. It's just like taking a picture with Bashar al-Assad, claiming he's your root, while you play for Israel.

He was naive.

The deal breaker was when Joachim Low asked him to do a joint press conference to clear the air. Bros started beating around the bush.

Given his level of influence and reach, he should be more discreet next time.

kjhova:


Now you are ranting and I have no idea which of your numerous off-topic points to attend to.

Sharpshooota:
If France was knocked out in the group stage



They would have deported pogba... Kante.. Etc back to Africa by now

afroxyz:


It means STFU and listen to superior argument. Don't come here to argue with your CNN based facts. The world is in circles, so is the truth