The controversy emerged after the midfielder scored twice for Borussia Dortmund against Elversberg and mimed taking a crown off his head to place it on the turf. Fans linked the routine to "The King’s Return," a campaign associated with the Christian network Ballers in God that faces accusations of discriminating against transgender people and homosexuality. Manager Juergen Klopp addressed the matter publicly on Thursday, noting that the issue escalated rapidly despite his initial lack of concern. Klopp confirmed the gesture will be discontinued after the player explicitly clarified that he loves all people and harbors no discriminatory views.
Key points
Felix Nmecha has permanently discontinued the contentious celebration following internal…: Felix Nmecha has permanently discontinued the contentious celebration following internal discussions with the German national team manager.
The player assured Juergen Klopp that he loves all individuals and does not practice disc…: The player assured Juergen Klopp that he loves all individuals and does not practice discrimination against any group.
The national team resolved the controversy before competing in their scheduled Nations Le…: The national team resolved the controversy before competing in their scheduled Nations League fixture on Friday.
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BELGRADE, Nov 12 : Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha will not repeat a club goal celebration that triggered a furore over what was perceived as a nod to ultra-convervative Christian beliefs with the national tyeam, coach Juergen Klopp said on Thursday.
Klopp, whose side face Serbia in the Nations League on Friday, has discussed the matter with the 26-year-old Nmecha.
"It was a big issue," Klopp told a press conference. "Last weekend I saw Felix score two great goals and saw the celebration and then the gesture. I did think nothing of it at the time. But then it all kicked off."
Nmecha celebrated during Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 win over Elversberg last week in which he scored both goals with a gesture that imitated taking a crown off his head and placing it on the grass.
That was seen by many fans as a nod to the campaign "The King’s Return", linked to Ballers in God (BIG), a network of Christian football players.
"He told me he loves all people and discriminated against no one, so for me the most important…
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