Turkish president criticizes jeers for Oezil

BERLIN - Turkish President Abdullah Gul has criticised the jeers that German international Mesut Oezil was subjected to during a Euro 2012 qualifier against Turkey.

Germany won last week’s match in Berlin 3-0, but Oezil, who is a German-Turk, was jeered by a large section of the Turkish fans in the stadium.

In an interview published in Sueddeutschen Zeitung on Saturday, Gul said that the spectators should not have done that. “Oezil is a fine example of integration and has contributed toward German-Turkish friendship.”

The 22-year-old Oezil, who joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen at the beginning of the season, opted to play internationally for Germany although he could also have played for Turkey.

Gul said he understood and supported that decision. “If he had asked me for which country he should play I would have encouraged him to play for Germany. He has my unreserved support.”