Former German football association president Theo Zwanziger has been left "deeply saddened" by Mesut Ozil's decision to retire from international football.
The 29-year-old, who is of German and Turkish heritage, announced on Sunday that he would "no longer be playing for Germany" after accusing DFB officials of racism.
Ozil was criticised as Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage, while posing for a photo with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the tournament led to a backlash in sections of the German media and support.
Although Zwanziger - who led the body from 2007 to 2012 having previously served as a co-president - defended current DFB president Reinhard Grindel, he expressed sympathy for Ozil and understands the measures taken by the Arsenal midfielder.
"I am deeply saddened by the decision made by Mesut Ozil," Zwanziger told Deutschen Presse-Agentur. "[It's] a major setback for the integration efforts in our country beyond the football.
"Due to errors in communication, something has happened that must never happen to migrants: they must never feel like second-class German citizens. If this impression arises, you have to take counter-measures.
"I know Reinhard Grindel and Oliver Bierhoff well enough to say that I cannot imagine that they would consciously bring about such a situation."
Reaction from German football has been mixed, with Zwanziger's comments at odds with those of Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, who welcomed Ozil's retirement.
Giuseppe Labellarte
