National team game Spain versus Germany which took place on Monday (28/11) in the morning WIB was colored by the solidarity actions of a number of Qatari supporters. At Al-Bayt Stadium, Qatari fans – referring to the robes they wore – brought posters of the former Der Panzer star, Mesut Ozil.
Fans held up the poster and covered their mouths.
There was speculation that this action was a satire against the German national team who protested FIFA and Qatar’s decision to ban campaigns in support of LGBT people at the 2022 World Cup. At the time, the German national team posed covering his mouth on the first day against Japan.
The satire returned from the Al-Bayt tribune then referred to the act of racism committed by Germany against its former player.
Ozil, a German Muslim player, admitted he faced intimidation and racism because he expressed his support for the Muslim movement, starting with solidarity actions for Uyghurs, up to his close relationship with Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan.
Ozil famously retired from international football after being subjected to racial abuse and was made a scapegoat when Germany were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup.
Ozil is a German international player with a bloodline of Turkish parents. The former Real Madrid player once revealed that everything about the German national team, even the fans and the media, was racist towards people who had blood ties to Turkey.
“I’m a German when we win, but I’m an immigrant when Germany loses,” Ozil said at the time, quoted ESPN.
Ozil decided to end his national team career at the age of 29. He recorded 92 caps, 23 goals and 40 assists for his country.
He admitted that he fell in love with the attitude of the German national team after uploading his photo with Erdogan.
Ozil at the time emphasized that he had done absolutely nothing wrong by uploading a photo with Erdogan. However, due to the racism that constantly hit him, Ozil stressed that retiring from the national team was the right choice.
“I will no longer play for Germany internationally because I have racist feelings and lack of respect,” Ozil said in mid-2018.
“I used to wear the Germany shirt with pride and joy, but I don’t anymore.”
The match between Spain and Germany ended in a 1-1 draw. Spain scored through Alvaro Morata in the 62nd minute, while Germany avenged their deficit with Nicklas Fullkurg’s goal in the 83rd minute.
Spain remain top of Group E with 4 points. Germany, which is in fourth place with 1 point, still has chances to qualify for the round of 16.
(ain/rhr)
