Ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil AXED from Fenerbahce squad after being hauled off after ‘verbal altercation’ in last game

MESUT OZIL has been AXED from the Fenerbahce squad indefinitely for an alleged "verbal altercation".

The former Arsenal midfielder, 33, was captain for Sunday's 2-1 home win over Konyaspor.

However, he was dragged off at half-time in the game - only his third back after six weeks out injured.

According to , "unhappy" Ozil was involved in a row with interim manager Ismail Kartal.

And on Thursday, the Turkish side confirmed Ozil would not be playing again for the foreseeable future because of his shock removal.

Fenerbahce : "Mesut Ozil and Ozan Tufan have been dismissed as a result of the decision taken. It'll be made public."

The former Germany international joined the Istanbul giants after Arsenal agreed to release him in January 2021.

He has played 37 times for the Super Lig side, with all nine of his goals coming in his 26 appearances this season.

Team-mate Ozan Tufan has also been slapped with the same punishment.

It is understood it was the stand-in head coach Kartal who made the decision to exclude the pair.

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They will be barred from training with the first team ahead of their trip to Kayserispor this weekend.

There is no return date set or information regarding the length of the suspension.

However, should a new permanent Fenerbahce manager be appointed, they may bring the two players back in - otherwise they could be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Ex-Germany boss Joachim Low was linked with the job despite his feud with Ozil with Die Mannschaft.

Tufan only returned from his brief loan spell with Watford in February.

The 65-cap Turkey ace came off the bench for the final minute of the Konyaspor victory.

That was the wide man's 175th Fenerbahce appearance having joined from Bursaspor in 2015.

Ironically, the club posted a "happy birthday" message on Twitter for Tufan when he turned 27 yesterday.

However, he will be on his way back to Vicarage Road for £5.6million if the Hornets avoid relegation due to a clause in the flop's contract.