“We reject the notion that the DFB is associated with racism,” read a statement.

“The DFB stands for diversity, from the representatives at the top to the boundless, day-to-day dedication of people at the base.”

On Sunday, ‎Özil announced his retirement from international duty in a statement, which accused Grindel of racism, when he broke his silence over his controversial meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in May.

“In the eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose,” wrote ‎Özil, a 2014 World Cup winner, who accused Grindel of failing to side with him against his critics.

The DFB said they regretted ‎Özil’s decision to quit international football, but firmly rejected his accusations against Grindel.

“The DFB is very grateful to Mesut ‎Özil for his outstanding performance in the jersey of the German national teams,” continued the statement.

“It is regrettable that Mesut ‎Özil felt that he had not been sufficiently protected as a target of racist slogans.”

“But it was important that Mesut ‎Özil, like İlkay Gündoğan before him, gives answers to the photo (with Erdoğan).”

“In the DFB, we win and lose together, as a team.”

“The DFB would have been happy if Mesut ‎Özil had wanted to remain part of the team on this shared basis. He decided otherwise.”