President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had spoken to Turkish-origin football star Mesut Ozil after his decision to quit the German team on the grounds of racism, offering his praise for the Arsenal player's move. "Last night I spoke to Mesut. His attitude in the statement is completely patriotic," Erdogan said.

"It is not possible to accept this kind of racist attitude towards a young man who poured so much sweat for the German team's success. This cannot be tolerated." Ozil's decision to quit playing for Germany and his strongly-worded four-page statement caused uproar in Germany even as it was applauded by Turkish ministers. He had faced heavy criticism during the World Cup, especially over a photograph with Erdogan in May ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls in Turkey.