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Yaya Toure has hit out at Mesut Ozil following the German’s criticism of China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims.
Reports claim China has detained more than one million people, mostly Muslims, who have then been subjected to human rights abuses has left both Ozil and Arsenal at the centre of a major diplomatic storm.
Arsenal subsequently distanced themselves from Ozil’s comments with an official statement, while China responded by banning state TV coverage of Sunday’s match against Manchester City and warned they could instigate a total blackout.
Toure refused to back his fellow Muslim and instead suggested football and politics must remain separate.
Former Manchester City star Yaya Toure has not backed Mesut Ozil
Speaking having just finished a brief stint playing in China (via Telegraph), former Manchester City and Barcelona star Toure, said: “Footballers have to stay with football and politicians to politics because you cannot be involved with this kind of things because it’s going to attract a lot of problems and a lot of things.
“As a Muslim, it is complicated and it is his choice. He’s been doing his comments but I think he was wrong to say that.”
It’s unclear whether the political storm has got to Ozil. The 31 year-old was substituted midway through the second half against Manchester City and was visibly frustrated.
