Former Arsenal and Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Ozil has reportedly been banned from returning to his former club Werder Bremen for a testimonial match due to his alleged political affiliations. The 2014 World Cup winner, who retired from football two years ago, has faced criticism for his ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a controversial tattoo.
Ozil, who holds Turkish heritage, was named on the ruling AK Party's Central Decision and Management Board last month, overseen by Erdogan. The Turkish leader was best man at Ozil's wedding six years ago. The ex-footballer retired from the German national team in 2018 after criticism over a meeting with Erdogan in London.
According to German outlet Bild, Werder Bremen declined to invite Ozil to Diego Ribas's tribute match, stating: 'We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the club's values.' The decision follows Ozil's political move and a photograph showing a tattoo resembling the logo of the Grey Wolves, a far-right group banned in several countries.
The tattoo depicts a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons. Ozil did not respond when asked by The Telegraph if it was inspired by the group's symbol. The Grey Wolves are associated with far-right extremism, ultra-nationalism and anti-Semitism, and are outlawed in France and Austria.
Turkish international Merih Demiral faced a two-match ban at Euro 2024 for making the wolf symbol after scoring a goal. Ozil's last club was Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir before retiring in 2023.
