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Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel "respects" Mesut Ozil's decision to quit playing football for Germany, her spokeswoman said on Monday, after the midfielder resigned over alleged "racism" in criticism against him.
READ: Bayern president blasts Ozil after shock retirement
"The chancellor values Mesut Ozil highly. He is a footballer who has contributed a great deal to the national team," said Ulrike Demmer, adding that he has "now made a decision that must be respected."
In a three-part statement the bulk of Ozil's ire was directed at the German Football Federation (DFB) in particular its president Reinhard Grindel for failing to defend him against his most strident critics.
"Whilst I attempted to explain to Grindel my heritage, ancestry and therefore reasoning behind the photo, he was far more interested in speaking about his own political views and belittling my opinion."
The 29-year-old also went on to blast German media publications for using the photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan "to further their political views".
The midfielder also attacked Mercedes-Benz who are partners of the German FA for airbrushing him out of national-team campaigns.
He went on to criticise his former school, unnamed sponsors and other members of the German FA for failing to stand by him.
