That’s a Bit Coward Decision – Frankfurt Sporting Director on Mesut Ozil’s Retirement
Jul 30, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Germany’s Mesut Ozil has been a talking point all over Germany for the past few days after the midfielder announced his international retirement. He stated disrespect and racism as reasons.
Ozil announced retirement after the FIFA World Cup 2018 exit.
Ozil’s decision has sparked a heated debate in Germany. Bayern Munich president, Uli Hoeness insisted, ‘he has been sh*t for years’, while the German Football Federation issued a strong rebuttal of his claim of racism.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has backed the playmaker’s decision, believing it to be “national and native”, but Bobic insists the 29-year old has shown his true colours. Now, The Frankfurt Sporting director told Bild am Sonntag,
“I think that’s a bit cowardly. Ozil’s criticism of social media, especially in the direction of the German Football Association (DFB), is unbearable. This blanket charge of racism simply does not correspond to reality. He could have given an interview somewhere, live on TV. For us footballers, the rule is ‘be a man and stand up.”
Bobic believes Ozil’s photo with Erdogan, which he has defended, was a severe mistake. He also thinks an experienced player should not have been in such a situation.
“I would allow that to a player who is 18 or 19 years old. But a player who has been in the business for so long, 29 years old and world champion, needs to know what this looks like”
“If he does not know that, then he is either totally naive. Cannot imagine that – or it is calculating, and he wanted to be provocative, or else he is alienated. Of course, understand the two hearts that beat in his chest, but nevertheless, you must know that you have a great responsibility.”