The German international with Nigerian roots has defended the gesture, while the club says it respects religious freedom but will address supporters’ concerns.
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Borussia Dortmund will hold talks with midfielder Felix Nmecha after supporters’ representatives criticised his goal celebration, as FootballInNigeria.com.ng reports. The gesture is linked to a Christian campaign called “The King’s Return”.
Nmecha, a German international with Nigerian roots, scored both goals in Dortmund’s 2-1 Bundesliga win over Elversberg on Saturday, November 7. After scoring, he mimed taking a crown off his head and kneeling to place it on the pitch in front of the south stand. Readers following Bundesliga results can see the Bet9ja promotion code summary.
The gesture refers to “The King’s Return”, a campaign linked to Ballers in God, a network of Christian footballers founded in 2015. Dortmund’s fan and supporters department responded on Sunday by calling for a clear distance from the network.
The department cited research by the German broadcaster ARD’s Monitor programme. That research reported that people in the network’s circles described homosexuality as a sin and abortion as part of a plan by Satan. Fan representatives said they distinguish between Nmecha’s personal faith and his public support for the campaign.
Dortmund said it respects every person’s freedom of religion and belief, and it defended Nmecha’s conduct since he joined from Wolfsburg in 2023. The club also said it will speak to him about supporters’ concerns. According to Kicker, it has removed social media photos showing him with Ballers in God symbols and did not publish pictures of the latest celebration.
Nmecha replied on Instagram on Tuesday. He wrote that his celebration is “not intended to promote myself or any organization”. He explained that it is about laying down his crown and pointing to Jesus.
On the pitch, Nmecha has become one of Dortmund’s most influential midfielders, and the club is second in the Bundesliga. New Bet9ja users can look up Bet9ja’s YOHAIG code today before the weekend’s football.
German FA sporting director Rudi Völler backed Nmecha but said he understands the discussion because not everyone likes the gesture. The DFB has also said it will speak to the player.
The celebration is not new. Nmecha used it at the World Cup, including in Germany’s opener against Curaçao, and earlier this season against Paderborn. In 2023, he also faced criticism after joining Dortmund over two Instagram posts he shared from other accounts, and the club said at the time that he holds no homophobic or transphobic beliefs.
The talks will test how Dortmund balance personal faith with the club’s stated values of respect and diversity. Can the club and the player find common ground before the general meeting in two weeks? Readers can also check these steps to get the Bet9ja promotion code.
📌 Did You Know?
- Nmecha is 26 and plays under Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac.
- A prayer circle after Germany’s group game against Curaçao also drew discussion during the World Cup.
- The fan department’s statement came two weeks before Dortmund’s general meeting.
- Former Germany international Markus Babbel said after the Elversberg game that he has rarely seen Nmecha string together three good games.
- Club officials and fan representatives held intensive talks after Nmecha’s earlier crown celebration against Paderborn.
