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Ozil's agent: Hoeness 'a shame to German football and people of Germany'

CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP / Getty

Mesut Ozil's agent, Dr Erkut Sogut, has dissected his client's stats in an attempt to disprove Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness's controversial claims that Ozil had been "playing (like) crap for years" for Germany.

"The comments of Mr Hoeness miss the point completely, as they have absolutely nothing to do with football. He is trying to divert attention away from the real issue, the issue of racism and discrimination in Germany, which is resurging once again within everyday German society," Dr Sogut said in a statement relayed by Goal's Chris Wheatley.

Ozil decided to retire from international football on Sunday due to the "racism and disrespect" he faced while representing his country. He accused German football association president Reinhard Grindel of making him a "scapegoat" of this summer's group-stage elimination from the World Cup. Ozil also criticised various other aspects of society - from his former school to sponsors - of not sufficiently supporting him because of his Turkish heritage.

The 29-year-old's decision to step away from the German national team has received a divisive response. Dr Sogut defended the Arsenal playmaker and lambasted Hoeness as "a shame to German football and people of Germany."

Related - Bayern chief relieved by Ozil's Germany retirement: He's been 'crap for years'

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

"The facts speak for themselves and anyway, who is he to speak about Mesut in this way? These lies are cheap, stereotypical, and baseless comments - made without any foundations - that allow hurtful news to spread," Dr Sogul continued.

"Mr Hoeness, we will not waste any more time or energy talking about a subject clearly you know nothing about. Not only is he a disgrace to yourself (sic), but also, and more importantly, a shame to German football and the people of Germany."

Dr Sogul reiterated that the underlying issue is "the resurgence of the racism and indiscriminate scapegoating" rather than footballing matters.

Related: Ozil retires from Germany duty, citing 'racism and disrespect'

"Hoeness is no better than the people Mesut mentioned in his statement, as he has purposefully ignored this wider point. And has done so on purpose," Dr Sogul said. "Hoeness knows what he is doing. Issuing crazy comments about Mesut's football, he thinks, it will create a big reaction and will cover the real issue.

"The issue he and many in Germany are scared to confront, an issue he would prefer to sweep under the carpet because he can't face the uncomfortable truth. He shows the depth of his character and his true personality by ignoring this and making idiotic comments about football."

Dr Sogul concluded: "Mesut has given everything for Germany on and off the pitch - contributed more to the country than he could ever dream of."

Ozil has also received support from the likes of Germany handler Joachim Low, ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho, who was his gaffer at Real Madrid.

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