Mesut Ozil claims Arsenal shut him out after Uighur Muslims statement
Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has alleged that the north London club effectively shut him out after he publicly condemned China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims in December 2019, reports BritPanorama.
The 37-year-old made these assertions while speaking at the Leadership in the Age of Confusion Summit earlier this week, stating that his social media post criticizing the persecution of the Muslim minority in Xinjiang province led directly to his departure from the Emirates.
Ozil contended that Arsenal “closed the doors” on him following the controversial post, ultimately forcing him to train in isolation for eight months before his contract was mutually terminated in January 2021.
The original social media post saw Ozil speak out against the persecution of fellow Muslims in the north-western region of Xinjiang. At that time, Arsenal distanced themselves from their midfielder’s remarks, issuing a statement on Chinese platform Weibo clarifying that the club does not engage in political matters.
Despite the backlash, Ozil continued to feature for the Gunners, making 13 appearances before the coronavirus pandemic halted football in March 2020. However, upon the sport’s resumption, the former Germany international found himself excluded from Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Speaking at the summit, Ozil reflected on his decision to speak out, noting he anticipated the repercussions. “I heard about Uighur Turks and then I made my research,” he explained. “Then, of course, as a star, I had a voice. And I knew also if I post something about this kind of thing, I will get in trouble. But I didn’t care. I posted and I am happy.”
The former playmaker detailed how Arsenal responded: “So, of course, they closed on me the doors. They didn’t let me play anymore.” He acknowledged the uncomfortable position his teammates faced, as they risked trouble by maintaining contact with him while considering their own families.
Ozil candidly discussed the personal toll of his exclusion from the first team. “Of course, I had difficult times because you know I was enjoying playing football. They just took it away from me,” he reflected. “Because I was out of the squad, I was training by myself for eight months.”
Despite the challenges, Ozil credited his family with providing support during this period. “So I was happy that I had my wife next to me and also my child, because it was really tough times for me,” he added. He urged young people to find strength in family, insisting that such support empowers them to seize new opportunities.
The narrative of a star athlete grappling with the consequences of speaking out is a poignant reminder of the intersection between sport and activism, illustrating how personal convictions can challenge professional ties in an increasingly politically aware landscape.
