Klopp set to hold talks with Nmecha over controversial religious celebration
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Germany coach Jürgen Klopp is expected to hold talks with Borussia Dortmund's Felix Nmecha after the midfielder's controversial crown celebration sparked debate over the weekend, according to Bild.
When Nmecha bagged a brace in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 win over SV Elversberg on Saturday, he celebrated by kneeling down, removing an imaginary crown and placing it on the ground.
The celebration is associated with the evangelical network “Ballers in God”, which LGBTQ+ organisations have classified as “Christian fundamentalist”, and its campaign “The King's Return”.
According to research by, among others, ARD's Monitor programme, parts of the religious group hold homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ views and describe abortion as “Satan's plan”.
The celebration prompted Dortmund's fan and supporters' department to strongly criticise the midfielder over the weekend and call on the club to clearly distance itself from evangelical networks.
Now, with Nmecha joining the German national team for the upcoming international fixtures as part of Jürgen Klopp's 24-man squad, a conversation with the coach about the celebration is reportedly on the cards.
German Football Association sporting director Rudi Völler addressed the issue on the podcast Kerners 11.
“Of course, there is freedom of religion and freedom of belief. Everyone is free to express their faith in their own way. Some people like it, others don't. Naturally, we will speak to him about it again, because it has now become a public issue. The most important thing with an issue like this is that you first have to understand it properly. We have to ensure that the processes surrounding these matters are handled correctly," Völler said, via Bild.
“So far, I can only say positive things about Felix. He did an outstanding job at the World Cup – not just as a footballer, but also in the way he behaved between matches. He is extremely popular with his teammates and is a thoroughly decent person.
“But I can understand the debate and that not everyone likes it. As I said, we will handle it in a similar way to Dortmund – we are in contact with them. But we shouldn't blow it out of proportion either. We will certainly speak to him about it.”
Nmecha also performed the celebration after scoring in Germany's 7-1 win over Curaçao at last summer's World Cup.
