Reinhard Grindel has admitted he should have done more to protect Mesut Ozil from racist attacks that many Bayern Munich people don’t think are a problem.

Ever since Ozil announced that he would not be playing for the German national team because of what he felt was racism due to his Turkish heritage, we’ve had to listen to a string of white, single-nationality Bayern Munich Germans tell us all how Ozil doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Uli Hoeness, who was by far the most over-the-top in his criticism, was at it again at the weekend, this time accusing Ozil of using racism as a distraction.

“Ozil has cleverly brought racism into the game to distract attention from the fact that he has not played football well for a long time,” Hoeness told Sky Sports.

Uli Hoeness Bayern Munich president
FC Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness

“I found it impossible that the DFB president had to get involved to solve the Ozil and Gundogan issue.

“Özil should have been forced to give an explanation, that was no small matter. He is a well-marketed product, who is represented by his agency much better than he is as a player.

“Joachim Low should have gone to Arsenal more often and had a look at him. He probably would not have taken him to the World Cup for sporting reasons, and then we would have been spared the whole drama.”

But the man at the centre of Ozil’s statement, DFB president, Reinhard Grindel, has now backed Ozil’s accusations of general racism, even if he doesn’t accept Ozil’s accusations that he was a big part of the problem.

Robert Enke wife
HANOVER, GERMANY – OCTOBER 10: Reinhard Grindel (l) and Teresa Enke, wife of former German national goalkeeper Robert Enke (not pictured), present the ‘EnkeApp’ during a press conference at HDI-Arena on October 10, 2016 in Hanover, Germany. Robert Enke committed suicide on November 10, 2009, following severe depression. Teresa Enke initiated the ‘Robert-Enke-Stiftung’ to fight against depressions inside professional sports. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Bongarts/Getty Images)

“Regarding the racist attacks, I could have taken a clearer position at some points and stood by Mesut Özil,” Grindel told Bild.

“I should have been clear with my words. Such attacks are completely unacceptable. I regret that he felt deserted by the DFB.

“It is important to say though, that I said nothing about his sporting performance after the World Cup. For me, it was obvious that we win together and lose together. To make an individual player responsible for our exit would be absurd.”

mesut ozil bench v south korea
KAZAN, RUSSIA – JUNE 27: Mesut Oezil of Germany looks dejected following his sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Korea Republic and Germany at Kazan Arena on June 27, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images, )

Grindel offered further clarification regarding accusations he had blamed Ozil for the team’s poor performances in Russia. “That is not right,” he continued. “I was talking about a different point. 

“After the photos with President Erdogan, Ilkay Gündogan clearly and understandably made a statement. I would have liked the same from Özil because I know from conversations with fans that they too had questions on the matter. That must not be misinterpreted as criticism of his sporting performance. I would have liked such an explanation even if we ended up winning the World Cup.”

Grindel also said that this matter was not “about his feelings” but about ensuring the integration work being done by the DFB was not discredited.