"They don't represent the club's values" - Werder Bremen exclude Ozil and Wiesen from legends' match in Diego's honor

Trouble at Werder Bremen. The German club recently announced that there will be tributes for Diego Ribas, one of the most beloved footballers for the fans and the club, but has removed two other legends from this match.  

The Brazilian left his mark on the team that won the Bundesliga (2006) and the German Cup (2009) within three seasons.  

During his time there, he played with Mesut Ozil, a player who is not well-liked by the Bremen club's management. 

So much so that the team itself has decided not to include the former Real Madrid player in this celebration.   It seems a surprising move, as Ozil rose to prominence at Werder Bremen and was Diego's teammate.  

According to the newspaper BILD, the reason is attributed to political issues. A spokesman for the German team has given the reason for his exclusion.  

"We have agreed with Diego not to invite Mesut due to his recent actions, which do not represent the values ​​of the club."  

These "actions" that the Werder Bremen spokesman refers to Özil's proximity to the "Grey Wolves", a Turkish far-right organization, and the fact that the footballer himself has a tattoo on his body.  

These statements have surely reached Ozil's ears and he may respond in the coming days. 

Another name missing is Tim Wiese. The goalkeeper played for Werder Bremen for seven seasons, from 2005 to 2012. The relationship between the club and the player is more than tense. The club considers Wiese "persona non grata" in the stadium, and both the club and the fans do not want to have any kind of relationship with the former goalkeeper. 

Wiese publicly acknowledged his connection to the far right, associating with figures of this extreme in Germany.  

Werder Bremen immediately distanced themselves from any connection with Wiese. Fans in the stands criticized the former goalkeeper's doctrine with a banner during a match that read: "Anyone who associates with Nazis has no place in the Weserstadion."  

Both sides went to court and the German club banned Wiesen from the stadium for a fight with a security guard in 2021. This ban ended in 2023. The former goalkeeper gave his opinion on Werder Bremen's decision to exclude him from the tribute to Diego.  

"I was clear that they wouldn't invite me. I wish Diego the best, but as long as the same management remains at the club, I won't return," he declared. /Telegraph/