Arsenal fans were lauding Mesut Ozil after the German was removed from China’s version of video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2020.
[freshpress-poll id=”268329″]
It was revealed by Chinese firm NetEase, which publishes PES in China under franchise from game creator Konami, that the playmaker is no longer in the game.
They also released a statement claiming Ozil hurt the Chinese people as they went on to say they don’t ‘understand, accept or forgive this’ (Reuters via Sports Business).
Ozil released a statement condemning the actions of the Chinese government in their treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the country’s far-western Xinjiang region.
Yaya Toure came out and condemned the former Germany international’s comments, claiming he was wrong to make a statement (AP via The Independent).
Fans were lauding Ozil after it emerged that he had been removed from the Chinese version of PES as they took to Twitter to react.
Here is a selection of tweets from the north London faithful:
— Mohamed Shuman (@mohamed_shuman7) December 18, 2019
Ozil rustled a whole nation. He won footy twitter
— Gunner 4 Life (@st0nedGooner) December 18, 2019
Man ozil is an icon and a poet… Has rattled a whole country with his poem
— sohaill_05 (@sohaill_005) December 18, 2019
He’s bigger than China
— ShafkaGooner (@Shafka_Gunner) December 18, 2019
I stand with @MesutOzil1088 pic.twitter.com/u6k1CeC2bV
— waslim shady (@waseem7_) December 18, 2019
Wow! One against over a billion and still winning.
— յɑվ (@ChuquEmeka) December 18, 2019
