RACISM IN SOCCER
Arsenal hug for Ozil after World Cup 'racism and disrespect'
Singapore — New Arsenal manager Unai Emery said on Wednesday that he respected Mesut Ozil’s decision to retire from international football due to what the German midfielder said was "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots. Ozil was the target of criticism for his performances during Germany’s disappointing World Cup in Russia and for his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May. Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan, a teammate also of Turkish descent who posed with Erdogan as well, were jeered by German fans in warm-up games before the tournament began. Erdogan said on Tuesday the treatment of Ozil was racist and unacceptable. The 29-year-old’s decision has triggered a bad-tempered public debate in Germany about relations with its largest immigrant community. "It’s a personal decision I respect," Emery told reporters in Singapore a day before Arsenal play Atletico Madrid in the pre-season International Champions Cup tournament. Emery, who in May became the Premier ...
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