Germany trio Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer either ‘naive or scheming’ against Mesut Özil, says agent

Dr Erkut Sogut reiterated that the Arsenal star's accusations of ‘racism and disrespect’ were directed at the German Football Federation, not his teammates

Mesut Özil’s agent has accused Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller of being either “naïve or scheming” in their bristling responses to the Arsenal star’s controversial decision to retire from Germany duty this summer.

All three men have publicly criticised Özil, who back in July announced that he was bringing his international career to an end in protest at what he described as the “racism and disrespect” he had been subjected to by the German Football Federation (DFB) and wider German society.

Kroos branded parts of Özil’s resignation statement as “nonsense”, while Muller insisted that “racism inside the national team was never an issue” and Neuer belittled the Arsenal playmaker’s stance by saying Germany’s hopes of future football success depend on “having players again who are indeed proud to play for the national team”.

Dr Erkut Sogut, Özil’s representative, argued that such criticism has twisted the point his client was originally making and called their public attitudes “more than disappointing”.

“Neuer indirectly accused Mesut of not having worn the German jersey with pride,” Sogut told German magazine 11Freunde. “This is unacceptable. Muller did not understand the whole discussion. And Kroos, as a seasoned national team player, should explain what he means by ‘nonsense’.

(Getty)

“There are only two explanations for their statements: they are either naive or scheming.”

Germany coach Joachim Low denounced Özil’s claims of racism as “exaggerated”, but Sogut reiterated that the midfielder’s accusation was directed at DFB president Reinhard Grindel and the country as a whole, rather than any of the national team players or staff.

“Low defends himself against an accusation that has never actually been made: Mesut has not been racially abused from within the team but from the midst of Germany society,” he added.

Criticism of Özil escalated prior to Germany’s disastrous World Cup campaign when he was photographed alongside controversial Turkish president Recip Erdogan, but Sogut is adamant his client has no reason to regret his actions.

“It is a matter of respect to meet the president if he asks,” Sogut said. “The two have met again and again over the years - that was never a problem for the German public.

“Why should I [advise him to act differently]? Mesut is old enough, he has his own mind. He has known the president for eight years, much longer than me.”