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Nmecha agrees to drop crown celebration after row, says Klopp
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📰 Jurgen Klopp said on 12 November that Dortmund's Felix Nmecha has agreed to change the crown celebration that sparked a row.
📌 Key points
⚽ Nmecha scored twice in the 2-1 win over Elversberg on 7 November and mimed taking off a crown.
⛪ The gesture is linked to a campaign tied to the evangelical network Ballers in God, which drew criticism.
📣 Dortmund's supporters' department asked him to distance himself clearly.
🤝 Klopp said on 12 November that Nmecha agreed to change the celebration.
🕊️ Watzke said nobody wants bans or punishments.
📝 What happened
⚽ After scoring both goals in Dortmund's 2-1 win over Elversberg, Nmecha removed an imaginary crown and placed it on the ground. The gesture is associated with The King's Return campaign, which is tied to Ballers in God.
📣 Dortmund's fan and supporters' department said religious freedom does not justify messages that undermine others' dignity or equality. German broadcaster ARD reported discriminatory messaging in the network's wider environment. Nmecha said on Instagram he did not want to put himself or any organisation in the spotlight and that his message was never about intolerance or hatred.
🛡️ Klopp and Rudi Voller met Nmecha at the national team camp. German media reported that Dortmund are also weighing legal action against the group if it keeps using him in promotion.
🕊️ On 12 November Klopp said Nmecha agreed to change the celebration after talks with club and country, and that the matter was resolved for the national team. He called Nmecha a nice person who discriminates against nobody.
📊 By the numbers
• 7 November vs Elversberg: Nmecha 2 goals, Dortmund won 2-1
• Nmecha's age: 26
🔭 Why it matters
Religious expression, club image and national team harmony were all in play. Whether this settles the issue or leads to a wider dispute with the group is the open question.
Germany face Serbia in the Nations League this international window.
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