Mesut Ozil has been suspended with immediate effect by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Ozil On Strike Due To Unpaid Wages? Club Responds!
The club confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the ex-Arsenal midfielder has been dropped from the first-team squad, along with Ozan Tufan.
"Our Football A Team players Mesut Ozil and Ozan Tufan have been excluded from the squad as per the decision taken. It is announced to the public," the statement read, according to the Daily Mirror.
While his second season in Turkey has seen an improvement on his first six months in the Super Lig, Ozil's performances have seemingly failed to meet expectations, but the motive for the club's latest action is unknown at this point.
The 33-year-old missed five league games between January and February due to an injury, although it was later speculated that he had gone on strike due to unpaid wages.
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Fenerbahce, however, denied those rumours earlier this month.
"The news that Mesut Ozil did not play because his debts from the club were not paid have nothing to do with the facts," they said.
"As we have often experienced, this kind of fake news that is created completely haphazardly without being confirmed by any official from our club is beyond our tolerance limit.
"Despite the heavy economic conditions at Fenerbahce, payments have been made on time until now. We invite Volkan Demir, who voiced this news, to correct his comment and apologise. Otherwise, we would like to point out that our club will not be able to take part in any organisation or facility it hosts."
