Demba Ba criticizes Arsenal’s response over Mesut Ozil’s comments on Uighur Muslims’ plight in China, the London club chose to distance himself.
Mesut Ozil spoke against the alleged exploitation of Uighur Muslims in China on social media. In response, Arsenal immediately distanced itself from his comments saying it was “always apolitical as an organisation”.
Meanwhile, The Global Times described Ozil’s comments as “false” and claimed he had “disappointed” football authorities. In addition, the Chinese Football Association said Ozil’s comments were “unacceptable” and had “hurt the feelings” of Chinese fans.
But amidst all of this, ex-Chelsea player, Demba Ba took social media’s help to criticize Arsenal for their action to distance away over Ozil’s comments over the huge humanitarian issue.
The 34-year-old player tweeted: “Not surprised. @Arsenal just keep distancing themselves from the best in general.” When confronted by fans who supported Arsenal’s “apolitical stand”. The French-born player claimed himself to be Humanitarian instead of political.
https://twitter.com/dembabafoot/status/1206135547498024961?s=20
Me neither… I just do HUMANITARIANISM
— Demba Ba (@dembabafoot) December 15, 2019
In his social media post, Ozil, who is a Muslim, called Uighurs “warriors who resist persecution” and criticised both China and the silence of Muslims in response.
Despite Arsenal distancing itself from German footballer’s comments on Uighur Muslims. The Chinese authorities have still taken an action over the Premier League giants.
CCTV will now show Sunday’s game between Tottenham and Wolves, instead of a live broadcast of Arsenal’s home match with the reigning Premier League champions.
China's State-run CCTV removed @Arsenal's Sunday match against @ManCity from its broadcast schedule, after Arsenal star @MesutOzil1088's false comments on Xinjiang disappointed Chinese fans and football governing authorities. Online broadcaster PPTV may also stop airing the game. pic.twitter.com/Ly1WQtcqGg
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) December 15, 2019
China has consistently denied mistreating Uighur Muslims in the country. Rights groups say about a million people – mostly from the Muslim Uighur community – are thought to have been detained without trial in high-security prison camps.
China says they are being educated in “vocational training centres” to combat violent religious extremism. On the other side, Arsenal certainly chose to take this step in order to prevent a commercial loss in a rich Chinese market.
