Published on 12:00 AM, May 20, 2019

Ozil has iftar with Erdogan

Arsenal’s German midfielder Mesut Ozil dined with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a iftar in Istanbul Saturday, a move likely to cause a backlash after previous meetings caused controversy. Images in Turkish media showed a smiling Ozil and model fiancee Amine Gulse, sitting at a table on either side of Erdogan at the Ottoman-era Dolmabahce Palace. The iftar was also attended by young Turks ahead of Youth and Sports Day on Sunday, a national holiday in Turkey. Ozil, who has Turkish roots, was criticised in March after inviting Erdogan to his wedding.