Ace

Germany coach Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that the Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha will no longer perform the “Crown for Jesus” goal celebration due to pressure from left-wing activists and the club. Nmecha had done the gesture (miming taking a crown off his head and placing it on the ground while kneeling) after scoring both goals in Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Elversberg. It was linked to the “The King’s Return” campaign associated with the Christian footballers’ network Ballers in God. Klopp said he confronted Nmecha about how the gesture was being interpreted (left-wing activists consider Ballers in God as a hate group due to its traditional views on gender, sexuality and marriage). The Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke had earlier told Nmecha to stop the celebration. He announced this at a meeting of the club’s Fan- und Förderabteilung (fan and support department), which had criticized the gesture and the group for positions it saw as conflicting with the club’s values on diversity and tolerance. The club also: - Distanced itself from Ballers in God. - Decided the group should no longer promote current BVB players on its channels. - Indicated that legal steps would be considered if the group continues using BVB players for promotion.