Mesut Ozil China controversy sees Arsenal star removed from Pro Evolution Soccer

Posted Thursday, December 19, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has been 'deleted' from Pro Evolution Soccer in China as the controversy surrounding his recent comments rumble on.

It's reported that Mesut Ozil has been removed from three separate Chinese versions of Pro Evolution Soccer following his recent comments regarding the treatment of Uighur Muslims.

The German midfielder has been vocal in his criticism of China's policies toward its Muslim Uighur minority in recent weeks.

The comments were originally made before Arsenal's weekend fixture with Manchester City, with Ozil posting the following message to his Instagram page:

"(In China) Qurans are burned, mosques were closed down, Islamic theological schools, madrasas were banned, religious scholars were killed one by one.

"Despite all this, Muslims stay quiet.”

In response, the state broadcaster (CCTV) pulled the match and instead chose to show the Wolves vs Tottenham Hotspur game.

Mesut Ozil China controversy sees Arsenal star removed from Pro Evolution Soccer
Mesut Ozil reacts to his substitution by kicking his gloves along the touchline (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking about the decision to remove Ozil from Pro Evolution Soccer, Chinese publisher NetEase told Evening Standard that Ozil's comments on the plight of Uighur Muslims "hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sport's spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or forgive this!"

The Chinese government has also suggested that Ozil has been "blindfolded by fake news" whilst Ozil's parent club, Arsenal, have been quick to distance themselves from the controversy, insisting the football club was apolitical.

"The content published is all Ozil’s personal opinion,” the club said on Weibo, China’s main social media platform.

"Arsenal, as a football club, has always adhered to the principle of not involving itself in politics.”

Earlier today Arsene Wenger also addressed the comments made by the German International who he brought to England from Real Madrid.

"What he says is about himself and not Arsenal," said Wenger, now Fifa's chief of global football development.

"Mesut Ozil has freedom of speech like everyone else and he uses his notoriety to express his opinions, which are not necessarily shared by everybody.

"What's important is that Ozil has an individual responsibility. He doesn't have to carry the word of Arsenal Football Club. When you make a comment about your individual opinion you accept the consequences of it."