Mesut Ozil Banned from Werder Bremen Over Controversial Tattoo
Former Arsenal and Germany national team star midfielder Mesut Ozil has been banned from visiting his old club, Werder Bremen.
The Bundesliga club has decided not to welcome the 36-year-old because of a tattoo that features symbols linked to far-right groups.
Ozil, who played for Arsenal, Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Fenerbahce, and Schalke during his career, retired from football in June 2023 at the age of 34.
But now, Werder Bremen has distanced itself from Ozil after he showed off a tattoo of a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons. These images are known to be connected with far-right organisations that promote anti-semitism, extreme nationalism, and far-right views.
Because of the tattoo, Ozil was recently left off the guest list for an event at Werder Bremen. The club held a tribute for their former player Diego Ribas, and Ozil was not invited, according to German newspaper Bild.
Ozil and Ribas once played together at Bremen before Ozil moved to Real Madrid in 2010.
