Uli Hoeness attacks Mesut Ozil claiming Germany will not miss him: 'He has been s--- for years'

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has launched an astonishing verbal attack on Mesut Özil, less than 24 hours after the midfielder announced he would not play for Germany again while he feels the victim of 'racism and disrespect'. 

The Arsenal player was heavily criticised for his performances in Germany's ill-fated World Cup campaign, and for posing for a photograph with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan before the tournament. 

In a three-part statement on social media on Sunday, Özil accused the German Football  Federation (DFB) of viewing him as 'German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose'. Özil, 29, was born in Gelsenkirchen and is of mixed German and Turkish heritage. 

When asked about the controversy, Hoeness claimed Özil would not be missed by the German national side and questioned his commitment and professionalism.  

"I am glad that this scare is now over. He had been playing s--- for years," Hoeness told Sport Bild. "He last won a tackle before the 2014 World Cup. And now he and his s----- performance hide beyond this picture.

"Whenever (Bayern) played against Arsenal, we played over him because we knew that was their weak point.

"His 35 million follower boys - that don't exist in the real world - are convinced he has played sublimely when he completes a cross pass.

"The development in our country is a catastrophe. You have to go back to what it is: sport. And from a sporting point of view, Özil has no place in the national team for years." 

The playmaker played every game of Germany's World Cup win in 2014, and has recorded 40 assists and 23 goals in his 92 senior international appearances.

Özil did receive some support from German Justice Minister Katarina Barley, who tweeted: "It is an alarm signal when a great German footballer such as @MesutOzil1088 feels unwanted in his country because of racism and not represented by the DFB." 

Özil's team-mate Jerome Boateng was the only Germany teammate to offer public support, simply tweeting a picture of he and Özil with the caption 'It was a pleasure Abi!'. 

The DFB on Monday rejected Ozil's accusation that he faced "racism and disrespect" due to his Turkish roots.

"We emphatically reject the DFB being linked to racism," the DFB said in a statement. "The DFB has been very involved in integration work in Germany for many years."

Anti-racism and equality campaigners Kick It Out also made a statement, saying: "Ozil is right to suggest that for elements of society, 'when we win I am German, but I am an immigrant when we lose.' Unfortunately, black players in England, France and beyond have been treated in a similar fashion for a long time.

"The singling out of Ozil by parts of the German media, discriminatory comments made by supporters, the lack of support from some sponsors and the alleged treatment by DFB President Reinhard Grindel, has gone far beyond any reasonable analysis of his performances.

"Footballers must always be wary of their status as role models being exploited for political propaganda, but no player should ever have their loyalty to their country questioned because of a dual heritage. The mere fact that Ozil decided to represent Germany should be enough to demonstrate his commitment, but clearly in some circles that is not enough."

The 29-year-old is currently in Singapore with Arsenal on a pre-season tour, who could benefit from Özil's decision to rule himself out of Germany selection as they begin a new era under Unai Emery.