Felix Nmecha Denies His Goal Celebrations Promote Hate

Felix Nmecha has said his goal celebrations were misunderstood and were never meant to promote intolerance, discrimination or hate in any form. The Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder was responding to criticism from the club's official supporters' group.

The gesture at the centre of the row is linked to The King's Return campaign. The Guardian reports that the campaign is tied to Ballers in God (BIG), a network of Christian football players. Nmecha said his celebration is about laying his crown before the soon-coming King and pointing to Jesus.

The German public broadcaster ARD has linked Ballers in God to ultra-conservative positions on homosexuality and transgender identity. That link is why the supporters' criticism carried weight beyond the stadium. Goal celebrations are small rituals that players repeat without much thought, and this one has now become a public question.

Dortmund said it understood the fans' concerns and would speak to Nmecha. News agency DPA reported that Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp also spoke to the midfielder about the issue. The conversation took place at the national team camp in Herzogenaurach, ahead of the Nations League games, a competition between national teams.

For Nmecha, the goal is a moment of release. For the people who support his club and country, the question is what that moment says to the people watching. Nmecha's answer is that the message is about faith, not about excluding anyone.