China blocks football game over player's Uyghur tweet
- 4 years ago
CHINA — Arsenal's German midfielder, Mesut Ozil took to social media to condemn China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. China retaliated by removing Arsenal's English Premier League fixture from state TV.
In his social media post, Ozil, who is a Muslim, called Uighurs, "warriors who resist persecution" and criticized both China and the silence of Muslims in response.
China, however, denies the mistreatment of Muslims and always has, standing by the fact they are instead being "educated" in "vocational training centers" to combat violent religious extremism.
The Global Times, a Chinese state-run paper, described Ozil's comments as "false" and claimed he had "disappointed" football authorities. The Chinese Football Association said Ozil's comments were "unacceptable" and had "hurt the feelings" of Chinese fans.
The BBC reported that CCTV instead showed Sunday's game between Tottenham and Wolves.
In his social media post, Ozil, who is a Muslim, called Uighurs, "warriors who resist persecution" and criticized both China and the silence of Muslims in response.
China, however, denies the mistreatment of Muslims and always has, standing by the fact they are instead being "educated" in "vocational training centers" to combat violent religious extremism.
The Global Times, a Chinese state-run paper, described Ozil's comments as "false" and claimed he had "disappointed" football authorities. The Chinese Football Association said Ozil's comments were "unacceptable" and had "hurt the feelings" of Chinese fans.
The BBC reported that CCTV instead showed Sunday's game between Tottenham and Wolves.