Mesut Ozil has been removed from all three versions of the game Pro Evolution Soccer in China over his stance against the nation's treatment of its Uighur Muslim population.
Reports from human rights groups alleged that around 1 million people - including Uighur Muslims - were being kept in prison camps against their will in the region of Xinjiang, prompting Ozil to speak out on Twitter last week.
Chinese state TV pulled the screening of Arsenal's game against Manchester City at the weekend, while most references to Ozil have been removed from the internet in China.
Now, NetEase - which publishes Pro Evolution in China - have announced they have removed Ozil from all three of their games in the country and said his comments on the plight of Uighur Muslims "hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sport's spirit of love and peace. We do not understand, accept or forgive this!"
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The Chinese government have accused Ozil of being "blindfolded by fake news", while Arsenal moved quickly to distance themselves from his comments stating the club was 'apolitical'.
The Premier League has vast financial interest in China given their lucrative broadcast deal, worth £564million, and numerous commercial partners and investors based in the country.
ineversayslashs on December 18th, 2019 at 12:21 UTC »
And they inserted a new player named Semut Oliz
stubblesmcgee on December 18th, 2019 at 12:15 UTC »
Lol imagine being this fragile
31_whgr on December 18th, 2019 at 12:13 UTC »
London Reds are going to be shite now