German professional footballer Mesut Ozil, whose side lifted the 2014 FIFA World Cup trophy after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time, is reportedly donating his earnings in the high-level soccer tournament to the children of the Gaza Strip. According to a report published by Middle East Monitor news website, the German Football Association awarded each of the teams players a €300,000 bonus for winning the cup, in addition to €150,000 following their semi-final win and other rewards for every game. Ozil, who is of Turkish descent and recites the holy Qur’an before games, is now set to give the money to the children in the besieged Palestinian coastal enclave. The 25-year-old had much coverage on social networking sites after he started the World Cup final against Argentina with a recitation of the Qur’an on the pitch, and concluded the fixture prostrating in thanks to God. Ozil also caused controversy when he declined to shake a FIFA officials hand because of the latters support for Israel. In March 2013, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo publicly endorsed the Palestinian cause by refusing to swap shirts with Israeli players during a World Cup qualifier in Tel Aviv. After the match, Ronaldo walked straight off the pitch rather than exchange his shirt for an opposition players – a ritual that is common in international football. Ronaldo also donated €1.5 million to Palestinian children in Gaza in November 2012. The talisman gave away his Golden Boot, which he earned in 2011, to the Real Madrid foundation. The Spanish giants later put the award up for auction to raise money for building schools in Palestine.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 16:11:53 +0000
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