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Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil ‘banned from former club’ due to ‘links to far-right group’

today18/03/2025

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Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil has reportedly been banned from a Werder Bremen tribute event due to his alleged links with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group.

Bild say the German club excluded the retired midfielder from a celebration for former player Diego Ribas.


His reported affiliation with the controversial Turkish ultra-nationalist organisation has sparked fresh controversy for the World Cup winner.

Ozil retired from football two years ago after a storied career at the top level.

Mesut Ozil

Former Arsenal and Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil has reportedly been banned from a Werder Bremen tribute event due to his alleged links with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group

PA

The German international’s trophy cabinet includes a World Cup, LaLiga title, German Cup, four FA Cups, and numerous other honours.

He starred for Basaksehir, Fenerbahce, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Werder Bremen during his playing days.

In 2014-15, he was named German footballer of the year.

Despite being born in Germany, Ozil has strong connections to his Turkish heritage through his parents.

Earlier this year, he was appointed to the Central Decision and Management Board for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

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Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil played a key role as Germany won the World Cup back in 2014

GETTY

The party is led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who even served as Ozil’s best man at his 2019 wedding to Swedish model Amine Gulse.

Last summer, Ozil displayed a tattoo featuring a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons.

These symbols are widely associated with far-right extremism, ultra-nationalism and anti-Semitism.

When asked by the Telegraph if the chest tattoo referenced the Grey Wolves, Ozil’s representatives did not respond.

The Grey Wolves group is banned in several countries.

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Werder Bremen confirmed Ozil’s exclusion from the Diego Ribas tribute event.

‘We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the club’s values,’ a spokesperson said.

The Grey Wolves have been linked to numerous violent acts since their inception.

These include an attempted assassination on Pope John Paul II in 1981, with some members even accused of murder.

France banned the group after a monument to the Armenian genocide was defaced with pro-Turkish slogans in 2020.

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Austria has also prohibited the organisation’s activities.

Ozil is not the only footballer with alleged Grey Wolves connections.

Turkish defender Merih Demiral received a two-match ban after celebrating his goal at Euro 2024 by making the wolf symbol with both hands.

Following the incident, Demiral stated he has ‘a very strong feeling’ for his country and is ‘tremendously proud to be Turkish’.

Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil won the FA Cup four times during his time at Arsenal

PA

Ozil’s Turkish identity previously caused controversy during his international career.

In 2018, he retired from the German national team after facing criticism for posing with President Erdogan.

He famously stated: ‘I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose.’



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