Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil has been banned from returning to his former club, Werder Bremen, due to a controversial tattoo that is associated with far-right groups.
Özil, 36, who had a career spanning clubs like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Werder Bremen, Fenerbahce, and Schalke, retired from football in June 2023 at the age of 34. However, his recent tattoo, which features a grey wolf and a flag with three crescent moons, has sparked controversy. The symbols are linked to far-right groups promoting anti-Semitism, ultra-nationalism, and far-right extremism.
As a result, Werder Bremen excluded Özil from a guest list for a tribute event honoring former player Diego Ribas, as reported by Bild. Ribas and Özil had played together at Bremen before Özil’s move to Real Madrid in 2010.