Arsenal star Mesut Ozil backed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in China row
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MESUT OZIL has found an unlikely ally in his row with China… US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Arsenal star Ozil, 31, caused controversy when he called out China’s alleged abuses against ethnic Uighur Muslims.
China’s Communist Party reacted with fury, prompting Arsenal to distance themselves from the playmaker’s comments.
And the weekend defeat to Manchester City ended up being axed from state television, with Ozil also being removed from the internet.
China fiercely denies all allegations of mistreatment against Uighur Muslims.
But US chief Pompeo has come forward to offer his support to Ozil, with President Donald Trump not afraid to go head-to-head with Chinese state officials.
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Pompeo tweeted: “China’s Communist Party propaganda outlets can censor Mesut Ozil and Arsenal’s game all season long, but the truth will prevail.
“The CCP can’t hide its gross human rights violations perpetrated against Uighurs and other religious faiths from the world.”
China’s Foreign Ministry had harsher words for Ozil on Monday, saying the ace “had been completely deceived by fake news and false statements”.
Former Manchester City star Yaya Toure has also come out to criticise Ozil’s actions.
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The Ivorian, who plays for Chinese club Qingdao Huanghai, said: “Footballers have to stay with football and politicians to politics because you cannot be involved with this kind of things.
“It’s going to attract a lot of problems and a lot of things.
“As a Muslim it’s complicated and it’s his choice. He’s been doing his comments but I think he was wrong to say that.”