"I'm aware that the picture of us caused a huge response in German media, and whilst some people may accuse me of lying or being deceitful, the picture we took had no political intensions," Ozil wrote. "For me, having a picture with President Erdogan wasn't about politics or elections, it was about me respecting the highest office of my family's country."
Earlier this month, the head of the German football federation, Reinhard Grindel, had said Ozil owed fans an explanation for his actions when he returned from his post-World Cup holiday. Ozil's statement was posted as Arsenal were preparing to fly to Singapore for a preseason tour, with Ozil having joined up with the squad just in time for the trip.
Ozil said the "mistreatment from the DFB, and in particular" Grindel was the issue that "frustrated" him the most. He accused Grindel of being "far more interested in speaking of his own political views and belittling my opinion" and said the federation turned him into "political propaganda."
"I will no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly," Ozil wrote. "I know that [Grindel] wanted me out the team after the picture, and publicised his view on Twitter without any thinking or consultation, but [coach] Joachim Low and [director] Oliver Bierhoff stood up for me and backed me.