Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp reached an agreement with midfielder Felix Nmecha to drop his controversial goal celebration during international matches, according to a report published by DIE ZEIT.
The 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund player will not perform the crown gesture that drew criticism this week when Germany faces Serbia in the UEFA Nations League, the report stated.
“Wie machen wir das denn mit dem Torjubel?” Klopp asked the player in a conversation, inquiring about the gesture.
Klopp said that the celebration is interpreted in a specific way externally, which the player does not intend, prompting the decision to stop using it.
Nmecha recently used the gesture after scoring two goals in a match against SV Elversberg to demonstrate his connection to Jesus and God, according to his statements.
However, the symbolism is also utilized by the network “Ballers in God,” an organization facing criticism due to homophobic and queerphobic statements made by its members, a group that includes Nmecha.
The matter became a significant topic of discussion within the German Football Association (DFB), as Klopp explained.
“Ich habe am vergangenen Wochenende Fußball gesehen, habe zwei wundervolle Tore von Felix Nmecha gesehen und erst den Jubel und dann die Geste. Und ich habe mir absolut nichts dabei gedacht,” Klopp said, describing his initial reaction to the weekend fixtures.
Klopp defended the player after holding extensive personal talks with him over the past few months.
“Felix kenne ich seit ein paar Monaten, ein außergewöhnlich freundlicher, herzlicher, offener junge Mann, der nichts anderes als gute Vibes verströmt,” Klopp told DIE ZEIT.
The coach added that he confronted Nmecha with outside perceptions before receiving assurances that the player loves all people and does not discriminate against anyone.
“Damit ist für mich der wichtigste Teil geklärt,” Klopp said.
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