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Mesut Özil in the Fenerbahçe jersey
Photo:
IMAGO/Seskimphoto / IMAGO/Seskim Photo
Fenerbahçe announced in a brief statement on social media that Mesut Özil and Turkey international Ozan Tufan have been suspended and will no longer play for the traditional club for the time being.
Fenerbahçe did not provide any information about the reasons.
"Our A-players Mesut Özil and Ozan Tufan were excluded from the squad by decision," the club said shortly.
There is speculation in the Turkish media as to whether arguments with coach Ismail Kartal on the last match day could have led to the suspensions.
Fenerbahçe beat Konyaspor 2-1 to cement third place and move closer to second-placed Konyaspor.
Özil was substituted in the half-time break and Tufan only came on in added time.
Both performers are said to have been upset about it.
Özil had moved to Istanbul from Arsenal FC before this season.
His commitment had fueled the fans' hopes of winning the 20th championship title in the Süper Lig.
But Fenerbahçe failed to threaten leaders Trabzon and were eliminated from the group stage of the Europa League.
Özil has scored nine goals in 26 competitive games and prepared two more goals.
A few weeks ago there was already speculation as to whether Özil had broken with his club because significant salary payments were outstanding.
Fenerbahçe denied this, saying the 2014 world champion was actually injured earlier in the year.
A little later he returned to the squad.
kra
