Fact Check: Mesut Özil meeting with Erdogan among with Ilkay Gündogan cause backlash in media and football/soccer communities.

Fact Check: Mesut Özil Meeting with Erdogan Causes Backlash in Media and Football Communities

What We Know

In May 2018, German footballers Mesut Özil and Ilkay Gündogan met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which led to significant backlash from the media and the football community. The meeting was controversial primarily due to Erdogan's authoritarian regime and the perception that the players' actions could be seen as an endorsement of his policies. Özil, who is of Turkish descent, stated that he met Erdogan to "respect the highest office of my family's country" (BBC). However, the backlash was swift; many critics questioned Özil's loyalty to Germany, particularly in light of Erdogan's crackdown on dissent and human rights abuses (New York Times).

The German Football Federation (DFB) expressed its disapproval, stating that "football and the DFB defend values which are not sufficiently respected by Mr. Erdogan" (BBC). This incident was not isolated; it sparked a broader discussion about the implications of athletes meeting political figures, especially those with controversial reputations (BBC). Following the backlash, Özil eventually resigned from the national team, citing racism and discrimination as key factors in his decision (France24).

Analysis

The backlash against Özil and Gündogan's meeting with Erdogan is well-documented and widely reported across multiple reputable sources. The BBC highlights the immediate criticism from the DFB and the media, which questioned the players' allegiance to Germany. This sentiment was echoed in an article from DW, which noted that both players faced severe public backlash, including abusive messages on social media.

The New York Times ([source-2]) further contextualizes the incident within a larger narrative of racism and discrimination in Germany, particularly following the national team's poor performance in the 2018 World Cup. Özil's resignation from the national team was a significant event that underscored the tensions surrounding identity and loyalty in a multicultural society.

While some sources, like ESPN, focus on Gündogan's attempts to clarify his stance and affirm his commitment to German values, the overall consensus remains that the meeting with Erdogan was a catalyst for widespread criticism. The players' backgrounds and the political climate in Turkey added layers of complexity to the situation, making it a focal point for discussions about integration and representation in sports.

Conclusion

The claim that Mesut Özil's meeting with Erdogan, along with Ilkay Gündogan, caused backlash in media and football communities is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that the meeting led to significant criticism, questioning the players' loyalty to Germany and igniting discussions about racism and political endorsements in sports. Özil's subsequent resignation from the national team further illustrates the profound impact of this incident on his career and on the broader discourse surrounding multiculturalism in Germany.

Sources

1. Ozil meets Erdogan and other controversial sporting photo ops - BBC
2. Charges of Racism Hobble a Soccer Revival in Germany - New York Times
3. Özil and Gündigan criticized for Erdogan meeting - DW
4. Özil and Gündoğan's Erdoğan picture causes anger in - The Guardian
5. Germany's Ilkay Gundogan: Erdogan photo controversy difficult - ESPN
6. Footballer Ozil's resignation sparks shock in Germany - France24