Ex-Arsenal Star Mesut Özil Calls for Boycott of Israeli Football
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Former Arsenal player Mesut Özil has called for a boycott of Israeli football, citing a double standard in FIFA's sanctions against Russia. Speaking at a friendly match, Özil questioned why Russian teams are sanctioned while Israeli teams are not. The head of Istanbul Başakşehir's basketball club, Göksel Gümüşdağ, supported this view, calling the sanctions on Russia excessive and arguing for football's separation from politics.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Mesut Özil called for a boycott of Israeli football, citing a double standard by FIFA.
- Özil questioned why FIFA sanctioned Russian teams but not Israeli teams.
- The former Arsenal player has a history of anti-Israeli statements.
- Göksel Gümüşdağ of Istanbul Başakşehir agreed, calling sanctions on Russia excessive.
- Gümüşdağ stated football should remain separate from politics.
Former Arsenal player Mesut Özil has called for a boycott of Israeli football, accusing FIFA of a double standard regarding sanctions against Russia and Israel. Özil, a devout Muslim who opposes the existence of Israel, made the remarks during a friendly match between veteran teams from Beşiktaş and Zenit, part of the Eurasian Economic Forum. He stated that sports unite people and questioned why FIFA has not sanctioned Israeli teams in recent years while imposing penalties on Russian teams. "I want to appeal to FIFA, this is a double standard," Özil said. The article notes Özil's history of anti-Israeli statements, including a past social media post supporting the destruction of Israel.
Göksel Gümüşdağ, head of the Istanbul Başakşehir basketball club, echoed Özil's sentiments, criticizing the perceived unfairness of sanctions. "Israel is not punished and Russia is, this is not fair. The sanctions on Russia are exaggerated and should end soon. Football is outside of politics, Russia deserves to compete like everyone else," Gümüşdağ stated.
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