Germany's Nmecha won't repeat controversial goal celebration
20 時間前
With the controversy sparked by Felix Nmecha's celebrations after his goals in Dortmund's 2-1 win over Elfersberg last weekend, the subject was always going to be top of reporters' minds when Germany coach Jürgen Klopp faced reporters ahead of Friday's match against Serbia.
Nmecha celebrated the goals by mimicking taking a crown off his head and kneeling to place it on the ground.
This was understood by many to be a nod to a Ballers in God (BIG) campaign called "The King's Return."
BIG, a Christian group for footballers , has said it aims to "demonstrate love and respect towards everyone," but critics claim it discriminates against the queer and transexual people. The discourse generated by the celebration did not go unnoticed by the Germany boss.
Klopp told reporters in Belgrade on Thursday evening, that the 26-year-old Nmecha had assured him that he meant no harm by his actions.
"Last weekend I saw Felix score two great goals and saw the celebration and then the gesture. I thought nothing of it at the time, but then it all kicked off," he said.
"As the controversy escalated, I started looking into the details of the subject and trying to form a clear picture of it.
"I confronted him with all the things you (reporters) might have confronted him with. He told me that it had nothing to do with that at all, and that he loves all people and does not discriminate against anyone."
本文の著作権はDeutsche Welleにあります。