Turkish-German footballer’s resignation from national team leads to arguments over integration and racismAngela Merkel has insisted that Germany is “a cosmopolitan country and praised Mesut Özil’s achievements for the national side,after the Arsenal midfielders resignation from the German national team over alleged racism and lack of respect kicked football deep into the country’s political arena.“Özil is a distinguished footballer who has done a lot for the national football team,” a spokesperson for the German chancellor said on Monday, or adding that the Gelsenkirchen-born player’s decision to resign “has to be respected”. Related: It’s not just Mesut Özil. All diaspora footballers face the same conflict | John McManus Related: Mesut Özil’s Germany saga is symptomatic of a world under strain | Richard Williams Dass #Özil geht,ist ein Armutszeugnis für unser Land. Werden wir jemals dazugehören? Meine Zweifel werden täglich größer. Darf ich das als Staatssekretärin sagen? Ist jedenfalls das, was ich fühle. Und das tut weh.
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Source: theguardian.com