We Were Called 'Goat F*****s', Star Backs Ozil

Ikay Gundogan has thrown his weight behind his counterpart following pre and post Russia 2018 World Cup drama that rocked the German nation.

The player who also shares Turkish descent with Ozil has reiterated the latter's claim that he was a victim of 'racism and disrespect'.

Prior to the mundial which began in June, Ozil and Gundogan posed with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and what followed as soon as the pictures surfaced were nasty.

The duo were fired at as lacking loyalty for the German national team and were deemed not worthy to be included in the squad that travelled to Russia.

Hell broke lose on Ozil when the 2014 World Cup winners were unable to go beyond the group stage in the recent edition and the Arsenal man was the scapegoat as usual.

In reaction to the many ill treatments, insults and undeserved criticisms he received, the former Real Madrid midfielder called it quit with the German national side, a move that many saw as justified even though a few like Uli Hoeness were pained and as such spat out venom.

Gungogan has given his take on the whole happening through an interview. See excerpts below:

“Was the affair racially motivated? You’re telling me! Is it not racism when a German politician writes on Facebook: ‘The German national football team: 25 Germans and two goat f*****s?'” he asked Funke.

“That’s something you have to call racism. Nevertheless, that does not mean that all people in Germany are racists – not at all. Almost all my life I have had good experiences in Germany. I want to say that very clearly here.

“But there are people who have politically used the resulting photo for themselves. And in this context, the line to racism was partially crossed.

“At the 2014 World Cup, it was ‘Die Mannschaft’ everywhere with 23 very best buddies and now, after a disappointing 2018 World Cup, there is talk of fractured groupings, though they were largely the same players and characters. This is now exaggerated from the outside.

“In sporting terms, I think Mesut’s resignation is a pity. He did a lot for German football. It’s a loss for the team. Mesut has also done a lot for me personally. He was one of the reasons why I wanted to play for Germany."