After 92 caps, nine years and a World Cup win, Mesut Özil's Germany career looks set to end in brave tweets and burnt bridges. The 29-year-old said on Sunday that he will never again play for Germany while he has "this feeling of racism and disrespect." Özil's trio of furious but focused Twitter missives on Sunday laid bare a long list of grievances about his treatment by the German media, the German FA (DFB) and the national team's fans in the wake of the controversy caused when Özil — and Germany teammate Ilkay Gündogan — posed for photos with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. DFB President Reinhard Grindel was Özil's primary target. "I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly," read one of several scathing lines in the third lengthy statement. DW's Matt Pearson Questions to answer for DFB boss Earlier, Özil had set his sights on the media. "What I can't accept," Özil wrote," are German media outlets repeatedly blaming my dual-heritage and a simple picture for a bad World Cup on behalf of an entire squad. His anger is justified. And after Özil answered Grindel's earlier demand that he speak out on the Erdogan photo, the onus now falls on the DFB chief to do some explaining of his own. Grindel initially backed Löw's decision to take Özil to the World Cup then decided Özil needed to answer for his actions at the very moment when his organisation was desperately searching for someone to blame for their limp World Cup surrender. All very convenient. "Many fans were disappointed because they had questions for [Özil] and expected an answer," he told German football magazine kicker earlier this month. "For me it is absolutely clear that, once he returns from holiday, and with his own interests in mind, he should make his views heard." Well Reinhard, he has. And he's also called you out on a few of your own words, from your time as a politician in 2004 when you said multiculturalism was "a myth and a lifelong lie." If that is still Grindel's view, it doesn't seem appropriate for him to continue in a position where he's overseeing players and coaches from a variety of backgrounds. It really didn't have to come to this. There's little doubt Özil's decision to pose for a photograph with a leader who has given freedom of expression short shrift and suppressed political opponents and dissidents in his quest for power was questionable. Of course the photoshoot was part of a charity event, but Özil, and for that matter Ilkay Gündogan, could presumably have fulfilled their obligations without striking a pose. Özil posed for a picture with Erdogan in May But none of that remotely excuses the poisonous reaction to what was, after all, just a photo. The far-right Alternative for Germany's (AfD) predictably dumb rhetoric was, equally predictably, surpassed in volume and vitriol by the armies of social media bigots. Reaction quickly turned toxic Özil mentions how he's been called a "goat f**cker" by a German politician and a "Turkish s**t" by his own fans, is it really any wonder that he's no longer comfortable representing a country where both those in power and those who should be backing him don't consider him to be their equal? Özil could have handled this situation better, but he's a footballer, not a diplomat. Dealing with media storms should be simple for the DFB. While they aren't an organisation known for their competence, it's impossible to avoid the conclusion, which Özil draws, that a Muslim player of Turkish origin is subject to much fiercer criticism than others in his position would be. For example, former Germany skipper Lothar Mätthaus, now an ambassador for the DFB, was recently photographed shaking hands with Vladimir Putin, a man not renowned for his tolerance. The outcry was noticeable by its near-total absence. The reaction from those in power and from many so-called fans of football to what is, after all is said and done, just a photo, has revealed a pretty sinister and xenophobic undertone in German football and society. There seems to be no way back for Özil, but the hope is that he'll take Grindel with him. That's about the only way something positive can come from this mess.<doc-sep>Mesut Ozil must explain his meeting with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Germany fans, the head of the German football federation, Reinhard Grindel, said. Ozil and Germany teammate Ilkay Gundogan, who are of Turkish heritage, were criticised by politicians and Grindel for having the picture taken with Erdogan in May and were booed by fans in subsequent matches. Gundogan later stated the act was not a political statement, but Ozil has yet to speak on the matter, which has not sat well with Grindel. "It's true that Mesut has not commented yet, which has disappointed many fans because they have questions and expect an answer, and they rightly expect that answer," Grindel told Kicker magazine. "So it's very clear to me that Mesut, when he returns from vacation, should also publicly give his view. "We also want to wait and see how Mesut gets involved. It's fair we give a well-deserved international who made a mistake a chance." Mesut Ozil was part of the Germany World Cup squad that crashed out in the group stage. Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images Ozil was part of the Germany team that crashed out in the group stage of this summer's World Cup, four years after winning the tournament in Brazil. Grindel hinted the Arsenal man's silence could play a part in his Germany future, but admitted the matter will be left up to coach Joachim Low. "It comes down to the athletic analysis of the national coach," Grindel added. "In fact, I hope that Ozil's opinion is so clear that the questions of the fans and the association are answered." Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff suggested the photo should have disqualified Ozil from the national team -- a sentiment Ozil's father, Mustafa, took stern issue with. He told Bild: "This statement is insolent. In my opinion, it is aimed at saving one's own skin. "[Ozil] no longer wants to explain himself, he no longer wants to have to defend himself all the time. "He has been playing for nine years in the German team ... including becoming world champions. He has contributed a lot for this country. It has always been: if we win, we win together. But when we lose, we lose because of Ozil? He is now getting whistled at and made a scapegoat. I can understand if he feels insulted. "He needs to decide for himself. But if I were in his place, I'd say 'thanks a lot but that's it!' The hurt has grown too strong. And who knows what'll happen at the next match. "In Mesut's place, I would step down. But that's just my very personal opinion."<doc-sep>Mesut Özil has retired from the German national team effective immediately. Özil concluded his three-part statement on Sunday by laying out in detail his mistreatment at the hands of the DFB and specifically DFB President Reinhard Grindel. Özil explains that he did meet with Grindel before the World Cup to discuss “my heritage, ancestry, and therefore reasoning behind the photo, he was far more interested in speaking about his own political views and belittling my opinion.” They agreed to put everything aside and just focus on preparing for the World Cup. Özil deemed the issue finished, especially after Oliver Bierhoff publicly declared it over before the friendly against Saudi Arabia prior to the World Cup. He notes that Grindel was angry at being left out of a meeting with Özil, Frank-Walter Steinmeier — the President of Germany, and İlkay Gündoğan. When the three agreed to release a joint statement on the matter, Grindel was upset that he didn’t get to lead the way. Then, Özil didn’t hold back. Since the end of the World Cup, Grindel has come under much pressure regarding his decisions before the tournament started, and rightly so. Recently, he has publicly said I should once again explain my actions and puts me at fault for the poor team results in Russia, despite telling me it was over in Berlin. I am speaking now not for Grindel, but beacause I want to. I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly. I know that he wanted me out of the team after the picture, and publicised his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but Joachim Low and Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me. In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose. This is because despite paying taxes in Germany, donating facilities to German schools and winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014, I am still not accepted into society. I am treated as being ‘different’. I received the ‘Bambi Award’ in 2010 as an example of successful integration to German society, I received a ‘Silver Laurel Leaf’ in 2014 from the Federal Republic of Germany, and I was a ‘German Football Ambassador’ in 2015. But clearly, I am not German...? Are there criteria for being fully German that I do not fit? My friend Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are never referred to as German-Polish, so why am I German-Turkish? Is it because it is Turkey? Is it because I’m a Muslim? I think here lays an important issue. By being referred to as German-Turkish, it is already distinguishing people who have family here from more than on country. I was born and educated in Germany, so why don’t people accept that I am German? Unfortunately, dual-nationals being “othered’ isn’t a new thing. In 2011, Karim Benzema told So Foot [via PRI] “Basically, if I score, I’m French. And if I don’t score or there are problems, I’m Arab.” In June of this year, Romelu Lukaku wrote in The Player’s Tribune, “When things were going well, I was reading newspapers articles and they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker. When things weren’t going well, they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker of Congolese descent.” (As a warning, the below statements contain offensive language but were kept verbatim in an effort to communicate the exact language and behavior described by Özil.) Özil then called out politicians like the SPD’s Bernd Holzhauer who called him and Gündoğan “goat-fuckers”, Chief of German Theatre Werner Steer who said they should “piss off to Anatolia”, and the Germany fan who told him “Özil, fuck off you Turkish shit, piss off you Turkish pig”. He adds that is not even mentioning the “hate mail, threatening phone calls, and comments on social media” against he and his family. “In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.” Grindel comes under fire once more, as Özil reminds everyone that Grindel spoke out against multiculturalism and dual nationals when he was a member of German Parliament saying that “multiculturalism is in reality a myth [and] a lifelong lie”, voting against legislation for dual-nationals, and attacks on Muslims and the Islamic faith. The treatment I have received from the DFB and many others makes me no longer want to wear the German national team shirt. I feel unwanted and think that what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten. People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has many players from dual-heritage families. Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent. It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect. I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my teammates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany. But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda, then enough is enough. That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted. It’s a shame that a brilliant international career ends like this. Özil retires as one of the best German players of his generation. He won the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and the 2014 World Cup. He was the Germany national team player of the year on five different occasions: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016. And he was named to the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament. Read his full statement below.<doc-sep>
Özil on the DFB and its President Reinhard Grindel — "Whilst I attempted to explain to Grindel my heritage, ancestry and therefore reasoning behind the photo, he was far more interested in speaking about his own political views and belittling my opinion." — "I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for [Grindel's] incompetence and ability to do his job properly. I know that he wanted me out of the team after the picture, and publicized his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but Joachim Löw and Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me." Özil's anger justified now Grindel must face the music Özil on racism and xenophobia: — "In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose. This is because despite paying taxes in Germany, donating facilities to German schools and winning the World Cup with Germany in 2014, I am still not accepted into society. I am treated as being 'different'." — "Are there criteria for being fully German that I do not fit? My friends Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose are never referred to as German-Polish, so why am I German-Turkish?" — "I was born and educated in Germany, so why don't people accept that I am German?" Özil on double standards in the German press: — "What I can't accept are German media outlets repeatedly blaming my dual-heritage and a simple picture for a bad World Cup on behalf of an entire squad." — "Certain German newspapers are using my background and photo with President Erdogan as right-wing propaganda to further their political cause. Why else did they use pictures and headlines with my name as a direct explanation for defeat in Russia?" — "They didn't criticize my performances, they didn't criticize the team's performances, they just criticized my Turkish ancestry and respect for my upbringing. This crosses a personal line that should never be crossed, as newspapers try to turn the nation of Germany against me." — "What I also find disappointing are the double standards that the media has. Lothar Matthaus met with another world leader a few days back and received almost no media criticism." Özil on Erdogan: — "I'm aware that the picture of us caused a huge response in the German media, and whilst some people may accuse me of lying or being deceitful, the picture we took had no political intentions. — "For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country. My job is a football player and not a politician, and our meeting was not an endorsement of any policies. — "Although the German media have portrayed something different, the truth is that not meeting with the President would have been disrespecting the roots of my ancestors." mds/mp