He was not present at the press conference in the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade. And yet Felix Nmecha was the topic the evening before the Nations League game against Serbia (8.45 p.m./RTL and in the live ticker on WELT). Jürgen Klopp, the national coach, answered a question from national team spokeswoman Franziska Wülle about the upcoming game before the first question about BVB's national player came from the audience.
On Thursday morning it became public that the fuss surrounding Nmecha's religious crown celebration also had a personal impact on Klopp. In the past, the evangelical network “Ballers in God” had used statements from the national coach from his time at Liverpool FC on its social media channels. When Klopp took office at the DFB, a picture of the 59-year-old was posted on Instagram with a statement from his time in Liverpool about his Christian faith. This gave the impression that Klopp supported the controversial association.
Upon request, the DFB stated that these posts were used without any consent and without Klopp's knowledge.
Klopp wanted to speak to Nmecha as quickly as possible
"It was a big topic," Klopp began his remarks, before going into the past weekend: "I watched football at the weekend, saw two wonderful goals from him and also the celebration and the gesture. I thought absolutely nothing of it. That may be due to my ignorance or whatever." But then, he continued, it started. "I tried to find out more. Then it became clear that I wanted to talk to Felix as quickly as possible. Because, I think, that's the most important thing."
The national coach reported that he had known Nmecha for a few months now. The midfielder is an exceptionally friendly, warm and open man, "who exudes good vibes when he's with us. I'm asked, what should I say? I confronted him with everything, with what you probably would have confronted him too. He said he loves everyone, he doesn't discriminate against anyone. That clarified the most important part for me."
Then, Klopp added, he asked Nmecha: "How do we do that with the goal celebration? Your message is a very positive one, as you describe it to me, but it is interpreted in a certain way outside. What do we do then? He said that he doesn't want that and that's why he doesn't want to celebrate like that anymore. But again: laying the crown at Jesus' feet is his message; there's nothing more in it."
The debate about Nmecha gained momentum at the beginning of the week after the midfielder once again showed crown celebration in the game against SV Elversberg (2-1). According to his own statement, he thereby demonstrates his connection to Jesus and God. However, the symbolism is also used by the “Ballers in God” network. It has been criticized for homophobic and anti-queer statements made by its members, including Nmecha.
Nmecha once again distanced himself from the statements on Monday after a conversation with Klopp and DFB sports director Rudi Völler at the team headquarters in Herzogenaurach, but reaffirmed his religious beliefs in a story on Instagram.
Watzke demands that Nmecha refrain from celebrating
Dortmund's club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke reported in the podcast “Ausrechner” that he had a personal conversation with Nmecha. In a video conference that lasted around an hour, Watzke suggested to the midfielder that he should refrain from part of his celebration gesture in the future. "He was with the national team and I was at home on the sofa. We had a video call," reported Watzke. He said to the 26-year-old: "If you notice that it's dividing the fans, then maybe you'll have the insight to just stop doing it." Nmecha has agreed to think about it. “He wants to think about it,” said Watzke.
How the decision will turn out after Nmecha's next goal can be seen from the statements by national coach Klopp.
Nmecha will probably sit on the bench for the game against Serbia. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic will be given priority over the back four. As currently third in the table behind the Netherlands and Greece, a success for Germany against the bottom team is important. But even if there are two successes - the game against the Netherlands is on Monday in Berlin (8.45 p.m. / ARD) - progress is not certain.
