Arsenal midfielder MESUT ÖZIL said that he will "no longer play for Germany after criticism for meeting with controversial" Turkish President RECEP TAYIP ERDOGAN and "for his performances at the 2018 World Cup." Özil confirmed the decision in a "lengthy statement" on his Twitter account, where he "hit out" at German FA (DFB) President REINHARD GRINDEL, saying that he would "no longer stand for being a scapegoat for his incompetence and inability to do his job properly." Özil said that in the "eyes of Grindel and his supporters, I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose" (BLEACHER REPORT, 7/22). ... Mercedes Formula 1 signed VALTTERI BOTTAS to a one-year contract extension, with an option to keep him for '20. Bottas "convinced Mercedes to retain him after some strong performances in the first half of this year" (BBC, 7/20). ... Australia will have a "new record of 10 NBA players this coming season" after the Philadelphia 76ers finalized a four-year deal with Sydney-raised forward JONAH BOLDEN on Saturday. The Sixers selected Bolden in the second round of the '17 NBA Draft but "left him in Europe this past season where he impressed with Maccabi Tel Aviv" (THE AGE, 7/21). ... Football Federation Australia has not ruled out a "testimonial match" for TIM CAHILL as it looks at ways of honoring the former int'l in front of home fans. FFA CEO DAVID GALLOP confirmed Cahill "shut the door on ever returning to the A-League." But Gallop and new Socceroos coach GRAEME ARNOLD are "making plans to keep Cahill involved in an official mentoring role at national level" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/20). ... RAFAEL MÁRQUEZ, one of three players to play at five World Cup tournaments, announced his retirement. The Mexico defender, whose career spanned 22 seasons, took to social media to announce his decision (FIFA). ... Serie A side AS Roma Owner JAMES PALLOTTA was banned from attending any UEFA game for three months -- and his club fined €19,000 ($22,290) -- after its Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Pallotta was sanctioned for calling the match officiating an "absolute joke." The club was charged over insufficient organization and a blocked stairway at the match in Rome on May 2, and for "fans setting off fireworks" (BBC, 7/20).
