# Kerem Demirbay international allegiance controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kerem-demirbay-international-allegiance-controversy > Updated: 2026-10-22T05:49:55.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. Former German international Kerem Demirbay has expressed deep regret over his decision to represent the German national team rather than Turkey. In interviews with journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, the Kasimpasa midfielder stated he would refuse any future call-ups from Germany. Demirbay attributed the end of his German international career to an incident during a 2017 Confederations Cup match against Cameroon. After scoring a goal, he removed his jersey to reveal a tattoo of the Turkish border on his shoulder blade. He alleges this act negatively impacted his standing with the German Football Association (DFB) and the media, resulting in his exclusion from subsequent squads despite his performance in the Bundesliga. Citing his Turkish heritage, Demirbay noted that he spent eighteen months attempting to switch his international allegiance. He expressed that his greatest regret is that he “never wore the glorious shirt of the Turkish national team.” ## Timeline ### 2026-10-22: Kerem Demirbay expresses regret over playing for Germany Midfielder Kerem Demirbay expressed regret over playing for Germany, claiming a Turkish border tattoo ended his international career with the German squad. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerem-demirbay-expresses-regret-over-playing-for-germany ### 2026-10-19: Kerem Demirbay criticizes experience with German national team Former German footballer Kerem Demirbay claims his international career with Germany ended after he revealed a Turkey tattoo, expressing regret over not playing for the Turkish national team. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kerem-demirbay-criticizes-experience-with-german-national-team --- Cite as: Kerem Demirbay international allegiance controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kerem-demirbay-international-allegiance-controversy