Özil images appear to be response to German protest

Broadcasters in the World Cup host nation of Qatar have suggested that images of former Germany player Mesut Özil held up by some spectators at Germany's game against Spain were in response to a German protest at their first match. The Al Kass network tweeted a series of photographs of spectators with photos and drawings of Özil in the Al Khor stadium at Sunday's game and suggested they were a protest against 'Western double standards.' Some also covered their mouth - a gesture the German team had used ahead of its first game against Japan to protest against the ruling body. FIFA had prevented them and other teams from using the One Love armband. Al Jazeera spoke of a coordinated display in a report titled 'World Cup fans remind Germany of racism towards ex-teammate Özil.' It said that that in response to Germany's action, 'in covering their mouths, the fans on Sunday appeared to be referencing Germany's own questionable treatment of Özil.' The full background of the action remains unclear, though. Özil helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup but retired from the team after the 2018 tournament, accusing the German federation of racism. A year later he slammed the treatment of the Uighur people in China which was lauded by human rights groups. But his then-English club Arsenal distanced itself from the remarks, possibly because of business interests in China. Özil is now under contract in Türkiye at Istanbul club Başakşehir.