Misunderstandings, polemics, subterfuges. The Mesut Özil affair is a fire that can not be extinguished, also because it is continuously watered with petrol. In May, the photo taken by the player with the Turkish president Recep Erdogan, immediately after the petition, signed by thousands of fans, to convince Löw not to take him to the World Cup. And then again the failure in Russia (first elimination of the Germans in the group stage), the withdrawal of Mesut from the national team and accusations of racism aimed at the country and the federation. Yet the story is not over yet. Also because tomorrow Erdogan will go to Berlin where he will be a guest of state until Sunday evening.
And the question Özil returns to current affairs.
PARAGONI - Before leaving for Germany Erdogan gave an interview to the Funke Mediengruppe just to talk about the case Özil: "I do not understand what was the problem of that famous photo with me and Mesut - Erdogan explained -, Matthäus met Putin and nobody said anything. Players must be free to do what they think is right. I do not understand the criticism. I often meet Turks abroad, in those days I was in London, the city where Mesut lives, why should I not have met him? ".
Then he throws a provocation: "Should we lynch a German footballer who lives in Turkey and takes a picture with Merkel? I really do not understand this logic. Özil feels connected to both countries: to Germany, where he was born, and to Turkey, where his parents come from ".
Yet Mesut seems to have decided to cut off any contact with Germany. Monday, Löw and Bierhoff went to London to watch Arsenal training. All the German players of the Gunners' rose (Leno, Mustafi and, indeed, Özil, warned through their attorney) had been informed of their presence. Curiously but Arsenal, officially by the will of Mr. Emery, has decided to deny Löw and Bierhoff the opportunity to attend the session. A unique event that is rare when so important technical commissioners present themselves at the sports center.
The feeling is that Arsenal wanted to avoid contact between Löw, Bierhoff and Özil, also because the first two had the opportunity to talk with Leno and Mustafi, with the German women national player Tabea Kemme and with the former athletic trainer of the Germany Shad Forsyth before lunch with Mertesacker, all under contract with Arsenal. Özil, however, has not been seen. Also for this Bierhoff sent him a message in the press: "We would have liked to talk to Mesut, but we have to accept the fact that he does not want to talk to us at the moment". Misunderstandings, polemics, subterfuges.
The Mesut Özil affair is like a fire that nobody can put out. Not even after months.
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