From the boardroom, a clear message
Felix Nmecha scored twice in Dortmund’s 2-1 win over Elversberg on Saturday. By Wednesday, nobody in Germany was talking about the goals.
According to Sky Sport Germany, reported by RMC Sport, Borussia Dortmund have opened talks with the 26-year-old midfielder and asked him not to repeat the celebration that followed his brace. The issue came up at a meeting of the club’s fan department on Monday, with chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke in the room. His position, per the report, was that Nmecha should refrain from it in future.
The gesture itself was simple. Nmecha mimed laying an invisible crown on the turf, a sign known as “The King’s Return”. It is tied to a campaign run by Ballers in God, a network of Christian footballers he belongs to.
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Why the fans pushed back
The objection is not to his faith but to the network. Investigations by German broadcaster ARD, including its MONITOR magazine and the Sportschau programme, reported that some circles using Ballers in God’s missionary services describe homosexuality as a sin and abortion as a “plan of Satan”. Dortmund’s official fan department published a statement on Sunday condemning support for religious networks it said devalue or exclude people over their sexual orientation, gender identity or lifestyle.
Nmecha responded on Monday. He said the gesture was about laying his “crown” before the King he believes will return, pointing to Jesus, and insisted his message had never been meant to promote intolerance, discrimination or hatred.
A third flashpoint in three years
The German federation is involved too. Nmecha joined up with the national team on Monday, and sporting director Rudi Völler plans to speak with him about his links to the network. He has 14 caps and three international goals.
This is not new territory for Dortmund. His 2023 signing drew protests from part of the fan base over past social media posts, and in September 2025 the club pulled him up after a public tribute to Charlie Kirk. Three episodes in roughly three years is a pattern the club clearly wants to close before it hardens.
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