Friday, March 29, 2024

Qatari fans hit back at Germany by recalling Mesut Özil in protest

Qatari Football fans hit back at Germany’s World Cup protest on Sunday by holding pictures of former Germany player Mesut Özil while covering their mouths during Germany’s match against Spain on Sunday at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor in Qatar.

Özil retired from international football in 2018, accusing the German Football Association of racism and disrespect. Özil had said: “I am a German when I win and an immigrant when I lose.”

Photos and videos on Twitter showed that the fans held copies of a hand-drawn sketch of Özil, while others showed pictures of him in action for Germany.

The protest was apparently in response to Germany players’ gesture on Wednesday, when they covered their mouths to protest against FIFA following the governing body’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband.

Qatari fans questioned Germany’s own treatment of Özil, the former player who quit the national team after becoming a target of racist and Islamophobic abuse and a scapegoat for Germany’s early World Cup exit in 2018.

The German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, accused Germany Football Association, fans and media of racism in their treatment of people with Turkish roots.

spot_img

Don't Miss

Related Articles