Neuer in Germany World Cup squad

Dortmund. Injured Manuel Neuer was named in Germany’s extended 27-man World Cup squad for Russia 2018, despite not playing since September, as political frictions threw a shadow over Tuesday’s announcement. Both midfielders Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan are included despite triggering friction between Berlin and Ankara after the Premier League stars posed for pictures with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in London. “From the DFB’s perspective, it has been made clear that it was not a good decision, but I didn’t think of leaving them out for a second,” said Germany head coach Joachim Loew. “I have a bit of understanding that two hearts beat in the chests of players with an immigration background.” There was more political activity as hosts Russia granted a World Cup visa to German journalist Hajo Seppelt, who had been banned from the finals after he broke the story on the Russian state-sponsored doping scandal. (AFP)