Real Madrid have moved to distance themselves and president Florentino Perez from a disparaging article from the ABC newspaper over why Mesut Ozil was sold to Arsenal.
Ozil's father and agent, Mustafa, threatened Real with legal action yesterday in the wake of comments Perez reportedly made to Madrid newspaper ABC questioning the 24-year-old's professionalism and alleging he was "obsessed with women".
ABC has since removed the article from its website and Real issued a statement through German newspaper Bild, which published Mustafa's stinging criticism of Perez and his club yesterday.
It read: "Neither president Florentino Perez, nor any other member of the football club has anything to do with the published information in the Spanish newspaper regarding Mesut Ozil.
"The newspaper has confirmed that nobody within the club contacted them and made a statement about this topic.
"Real Madrid regret that the statements, which had nothing to do with the football club, have prompted a reaction from Ozil's father.
"We again thank Mesut Ozil and wish him all the best for the future."
