Ozil, Gundogan's row cause a stir in Germany line up in Russia
- Ozil and Gundogan's picture with Turkish president have sparked controversy
- Bierhoff says the controversy might affect team selection for the World Cup
- The duo were whistled at in Germany's game against Austria and Saudi Arabia
Germany internationals Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan's involvement in the ongoing row about a photo they had taken with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan could influence Germany head coach Joachim Low's team selection, Oliver Bierhoff reveals.
"Jogi [Low] does not make any populist decisions just to satisfy someone, he rather looks at the sporting side of things," Bierhoff told Bild when asked about a possible influence on the starting formation.
"But [the scandal] could as well be a small aspect [in the decision-making process]."
The Premier League duo were born in the German city of Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, and recently had a picture taken with Erdogan during the Turkish president's visit to London in May.
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The photo was released a day before the announcement of Germany's preliminary World Cup squad.
The picture sparked a row that led to both star players being whistled at during the nation's two pre-World Cup friendlies against Austria and Saudi Arabia as well as German chancellor Angela Merkel commenting on it.
The players have handled the issue differently. Manchester City star Gundogan talked to selected press during Germany's media day last week.
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While Arsenal midfielder Ozil has not addressed it in public, and, according to Bierhoff, will not talk to media during the World Cup.
The photo of the pair and President Erdogan has led to a major discussion in German society on the integration of Turkish immigrants amid tension between the two countries, amplified by the imprisonment of prominent journalist Deniz Yucel, who was locked away for over a year from February, 2017.
"It's obvious that the discussion over integration should not end here, and also not that over the photo," Bierhoff added.
"We must continue to face this issue and account for it. We have a lot of players in our academies with a migrant background. This goes far beyond the Erdogan photo.
"But my request is only to allow the players to focus on the tournament during the World Cup."
Bierhoff's sentiment was echoed by Germany keeper and captain Manuel Neuer. The Bayern Munich number one told Gazzetta dello Sport that the situation is "bothering the whole nation" and not just the two players.
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"We're footballers and we want to think about football, essentially the World Cup, which is what matters," he added.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported Joachim Low dropped Manchester City attacker Leroy Sane from the final 23-man squad that will defend their World Cup title.
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Source: Legit.ng
