The German Football Association (DFB) today rejected claims of racism against their president Reinhard Grindel made by Mesut Ozil in his announcement that he has retired from international football. "We reject the notion that the DFB is associated with racism," read a statement.

"The DFB stands for diversity, from the representatives at the top to the boundless, day-to-day dedication of people at the base." On Sunday, Ozil announced his retirement from international duty in a statement, which accused Grindel of racism, when he broke his silence over his controversial meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in May.