“We will talk to him about it because it has become a public issue,” German national team sporting director Rudi Völler said regarding midfielder Felix Nmecha.
The 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund player is facing scrutiny following a goal celebration that has sparked a national debate, according to reporting by Welt.
The controversy centers on a gesture Nmecha performed during Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 victory over SV Elversberg this past weekend. After scoring, the midfielder knelt on the pitch and removed an imaginary crown from his head. This action is linked to the “The King’s Return” campaign, which is associated with the evangelical network “Ballers in God,” as reported by Welt.
Founded in 2015, “Ballers in God” describes itself as a network for Christian footballers. However, the organization has faced criticism for holding and promoting conservative views on topics such as abortion and homosexuality. According to Deutschlandfunk, the network has been accused of characterizing homosexuality as a sin and abortion as “the devil’s work.”
Borussia Dortmund’s fan and support department issued a statement on Sunday addressing the incident. The club emphasized that its critique is not directed at an individual’s faith, but rather at networks that utilize the guise of religion to promote worldviews that exclude or devalue people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or personal lifestyle choices.
The club confirmed it is taking the concerns raised by the fan base seriously. “Borussia Dortmund respects the freedom of religion and belief of every individual,” the club stated via Welt. “Different personal convictions are part of a diverse society.” The club has indicated it intends to hold a formal discussion with Nmecha regarding the matter.
As the German national team gathers at their headquarters in Herzogenaurach, DFB officials are also preparing to address the situation. During an appearance on the podcast “Kerners 11,” Rudi Völler confirmed that the federation would follow a similar approach to that of Dortmund, noting that they are in communication with the club.
“The most important thing with such a topic is to understand it precisely,” Völler said. “So far, I can only say positive things about Felix Nmecha. He did an outstanding job at the World Cup, not only as a footballer, but also in the way he was between matches. He is totally popular with his teammates.”
Völler added that while he understands why the gesture has caused discomfort among some observers, the DFB does not want to overstate the issue. Reports suggest that both Völler and national team head coach Jürgen Klopp are expected to participate in the conversation with Nmecha.
This is not the first time Nmecha’s public actions related to his faith have drawn attention. Discussions regarding his expressions of belief also occurred during the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, specifically involving a prayer circle held after Germany’s group stage match against Curaçao in Houston, Texas.
Nmecha remains part of the squad currently reporting to the DFB training camp. The discussions with team leadership are expected to take place in the coming days as the team prepares for their upcoming fixtures.
