Ozil removed from computer game in China over Uighur comments

(Reuters) – Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil has been removed from Konami’s
eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2020 computer game in China
over his comments about the country’s treatment of its Uighur
Muslims.

NetEase, which publishes the PES franchise in China, confirmed
on Wednesday it will remove Ozil from all three existing titles,
including the flagship PES 2020 Mobile.

“The German player Ozil posted an extreme statement about China
on social media,” NetEase said in a statement on Weibo on
Wednesday.

“The speech hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the
sports spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or
forgive this.”

Ozil, a German Muslim of Turkish origin, posted messages of
social media last week calling minority Uighurs “warriors who
resist persecution” and criticized both China’s crackdown and the
silence of Muslims in response.

China’s foreign ministry said Ozil was “deceived by fake news”
as social media platforms in the country such as Weibo were flooded
with angry messages.

Arsenal were quick to distance themselves from Ozil’s comments,
saying the club “always adhered to the principle of not involving
itself in politics”.

Ozil has received support from former Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger, who defended the player’s right to express his opinion.

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