Mesut Özil deleted from computer game in China over Uighur remarks

Arsenal star Mesut Özil has been deleted from a computer football game in China as a feud between the German footballer and China intensifies on a social media post about his condemnation regarding Uighur Muslims.

NetEase, the company publishes the PES franchise in China, said it will remove the British Premier League footballer from its three existing games including its most popular edition, PES 2020 Mobile.

"The German player Özil posted an extreme statement about China on social media," the Chinese internet technology company providing online services said in a statement.

The company claimed Özil's comments "hurt the feelings of Chinese fans and violated the sports spirit of love and peace," and NetEase do not "understand, accept or forgive this."

Özil, who is a Muslim of Turkish descent, accused Muslims of staying silent on Dec. 13 for what he called China's persecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang.

On his Instagram account, the renowned Turkish footballer called Uighurs "warriors who resist persecution... Glorious believers who put up a fight alone against these who forcefully move people away from Islam."

In China's Xinjiang Province, he said "Qurans are burned... Mosques were closed down... Islamic theological schools, Madrasahs were banned ... Religious scholars were killed one by one ... Despite all this, Muslims stay quiet."

"Don't they know that giving consent for persecution is persecution itself?" Özil, asked.

In retaliation, China's state broadcaster decided not to air Sunday's Arsenal-Manchester City match and China's Foreign Ministry reportedly said Özil "has been deceived by fake news."

"If Mr. Özil has the opportunity, we will be pleased to see him going to...