Germany fans were mocked by a group of protestors as they left the Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday evening.
It was a night to forget for German fans, who witnessed their side crash out of the World Cup on goal difference. Despite winning their final group game 4-2 against Costa Rica, Japan’s win against Spain edged them out of the qualification spots.
Read More: Germany are OUT of the World Cup after Japan shock Spain
As fans in the stadium made their way to the exit, they were jeered and waved off by protestors holding up pictures of Mesut Ozil.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) December 2, 2022
The former Real Madrid and Arsenal playmaker retired from international football four years ago after he spoke out against members of the German government.
“People with racially discriminative backgrounds should not be allowed to work in the largest football federation in the world that has players from dual‑heritage families,” Ozil said about former DFB president Reinhard Grindel.
“Attitudes like theirs simply do not reflect the players they supposedly represent. In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose.”
Ozil’s comments have been thrust back into the spotlight after the German team silently protested against FIFA’s banning of the OneLove armband.
This is the second time these protests have taken place at the World Cup.