The midfielder spoke out about the treatment of Muslims in China, but the club chose to stay out of the argument altogether
Arsenal boss Vinai Venkatesham has defended the club’s response to Mesut Ozil’s conviction over the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China.
After the attacking midfielder spoke out on social media in December 2019 about the religious and ethnic persecution of Muslims in Xinjiang, the Gunners declared that they would not engage in politics.
The north London club has several business links in China and has been accused of prioritizing commercial interests in response.
“I don’t think it’s fair to say we took a commercial view,” said Venkatesham at FT Football Business.
What was said?
“I know it’s as reported but I don’t think it’s right to say it.”
He said: “We have been asked to comment on the situation, we have largely been asked to comment in China but it has been general.
“Our position was that the player made a statement in a separate role.
“There was no commercial driver behind that, it was just clear that Mesut was not making a club statement, he was making a man in a separate position, as is right.”
What did Ozil say about China?
Ozil spoke out against reports that Uighur Muslims are being held in concentration camps, which China says are “re-education” camps used to bring the minority into society. and reducing the opportunities for separatist violence.
Ozil posted on social media: “They burn their Qurans. They closed the mosque. They block their schools. They kill their saints.
“The men had to go into camps and their families had to live with the Chinese men. The women are forced to marry Chinese men.
“But Muslims are silent. They don’t make a noise. They abandoned them. Do they not know that allowing persecution is persecution? ”
The German international was followed by an interview in The Athletics, admits he was disappointed with Arsenal ‘s response.
“It doesn’t matter what your religion or color is – Muslim, Christian, Jewish, black, white or anything else. We are all the same, “he said.
“What I said was not against the Chinese people, it was against who is doing this to the Uighur Muslims and others who are not helping them, such as other Muslim countries.
“I have given a lot to Arsenal, on and off the pitch, so the response has been disappointing. They said they will not get involved in politics but this is not politics and they have gotten involved in other issues. “
Arsenal Ozil ‘s career is coming to an end
Ozil’s last goal for the Gunners was against the Premier League against West Ham in March 2020. He was soon released from the squad and was relegated from the squad to by Mikel Arteta for the 2020-21 campaign.
The 32-year-old left the club last in the January transfer window, making a free transfer to Fenerbahce.
He signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Turkish giants and has made four appearances so far.