DFB Issues Statement Denying Ozil's Racism Claim

The German Football Federation (DFB) has denied Mesut Ozil's allegations of racism and insisted he should have explained his actions following his meeting with controversial Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ozil launched an astonishing attack on the DFB and its president Reinhard Grindel on Sunday, accusing them of "racism" as he announced his retirement from international football.

The 29-year-old, who has Turkish roots, came in for significant criticism before the World Cup when pictured with Erdogan alongside Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan.

"The pictures with the Turkish president Erdogan raised questions in the German society," the statement read. "We admit that the DFB has a share in this.

"And we regret that Mesut Ozil had the feeling that he wasn't protected enough against racist slogans – like Jerome Boateng once was.

"But it was important that Mesut Ozil gave answers to the topic, like Ilkay Gundogan did, regardless of the result at the World Cup in Russia. At the DFB, we win and lose together, everyone as a team.

"The DFB would have been happy if Mesut Ozil remained a part of the team. He decided to not do so."