Angela Merkel apologises over German national team photo

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has been forced to hold 'clear the air' talks with her country's football federation after she was accused of exploiting the national team for political gain.

Angela Merkel apologises over German national team photo
Angela Merkel chatted to Mesut Ozil following the team's 3-0 victory over Turkey on October 8 Credit: Photo: AFP/GETTY

Mrs Merkel, 56, was pictured shaking hands with Mesut Ozil, Germany's star midfield who is of Turkish origin, after she paid an unscheduled visit to the team's dressing room following a match in Berlin.

Last week Mrs Merkel said that Germany's attempts to build a post-war multicultural society had "utterly failed". The 2010 German World Cup team, which came third overall, was however hailed as a symbol of multiculturalism, including players with Polish, Turkish, Tunisian and Brazilian ancestry. Ozil, who plays for Real Madrid, is regarded as the poster boy of the team.

The Chancellor, herself a keen football fan, chatted to the 22-year-old following the team's 3-0 victory over Turkey on October 8, prompting anger from Theo Zwanziger, the president of the German Football Federation (DFB), who expressed "irritations".

Mrs Merkel's office did not confirm if she had apologised, but said she had acted to "clear the air" with the DFB.

Mr Zwanziger said later: "The events after the game were certainly not ideal, but in a telephone conversation with the Home Secretary and the Chancellor the day after the game we were able to sort the matter out.

"The matter is now resolved as the Chancellor and I have great trust in each other."

Speaking to a youth wing of her party at the weekend Mrs Merkel said: "Multikulti, the concept that we are now living side by side and are happy about it. This approach has failed, utterly."