Sports · Football · 46 mins ago
Klopp says Nmecha will not repeat controversial goal celebration
Germany coach Jürgen Klopp says Felix Nmecha will not repeat his controversial celebration after the two spoke while on national-team duty.
Nmecha, a Borussia Dortmund midfielder, had mimed taking a crown off his head and placing it on the ground after scoring twice against Elversberg.
The gesture was alleged to refer to a campaign called “The King's Return” run by Christian football group Ballers in God.
A Dortmund supporters’ group said the campaign discriminates against gay and transgender people, while Ballers in God said it aims to show love and respect to everyone.
Klopp said Nmecha told him the gesture had nothing to do with the campaign and that he does not discriminate against anyone.
Klopp said he accepted Nmecha’s explanation, but asked him not to celebrate that way again.
Germany face Serbia in Belgrade on Friday and are three points short of the Nations League quarterfinal places with two group matches left.
Germany coach Jürgen Klopp said Felix Nmecha will not repeat his controversial goal celebration.
Nmecha scored twice for Borussia Dortmund in a 2-1 win over Elversberg last weekend and mimed removing a crown and placing it on the ground.
The gesture was understood by many to reference the Ballers in God campaign “The King's Return.”
Critics say the campaign discriminates against gay and transgender people, while the group says it aims to show love and respect to everyone.
Klopp said Nmecha told him he meant no harm and does not discriminate against anyone.
- Who
- Germany coach Jürgen Klopp and midfielder Felix Nmecha.
- What
- Klopp said Nmecha will not repeat the crown-themed celebration that prompted controversy.
- When
- Klopp made the comments ahead of Germany's Friday match against Serbia.
- Where
- Klopp spoke to reporters in Belgrade.
- Why
- The gesture was understood by many as a reference to a campaign criticised for discriminating against gay and transgender people.
Critics of the Ballers in God campaign
Ballers in God
Campaign's position
Critics of the Ballers in God campaign
Critics say the campaign discriminates against gay and transgender people.
Ballers in God
The group says it aims to demonstrate love and respect towards everyone.
Felix Nmecha scored twice and made the crown-themed gesture in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 win over Elversberg.
Klopp told reporters in Belgrade that he had confronted Nmecha and that the midfielder would not repeat the celebration.
Germany were due to play Serbia in a Nations League match.
- Nmecha's goals
- Two in Dortmund's 2-1 win over Elversberg
- Celebration
- Mimicked removing a crown and placing it on the ground
- Nmecha's age
- 26
- Germany's match
- Against Serbia in Belgrade on Friday
- Campaign
- Ballers in God’s “The King's Return
3 sources
What people are saying
He told me that it had nothing to do with that at all, and that he loves all people and does not discriminate against anyone.
He will not be celebrating like that.
demonstrate love and respect towards everyone