Jurgen Klopp reveals he confronted Germany star over controversial crown celebration with links to 'anti-LGBTQ+ group' - and promises he won't repeat it

Germany manager Jurgen Klopp insists midfielder Felix Nmecha will not repeat a controversial goal celebration after opposition from supporters.

Nmecha, a Christian player for Borussia Dortmund, was criticised last weekend for celebrating scoring by lowering an imaginary crown from his head onto the pitch.

The celebration - called 'The King's Return' - was popularised by an evangelical network of footballers called Ballers in God, which counts prominent Premier League players among its members. It is supposed to represent the idea of submission to God.

But an investigation by German outlets found that the campaign website for 'The King's Return' linked to a chat service run by an organisation called Groundwire, where counsellors shared anti-homosexual views and described abortion as 'Satan's Plan'. Daily Mail Sport encountered similar views when consulting the service.

Nmecha has maintained that his message was one of love, but after a huge outcry in Germany - and talks with Klopp and national team sporting director Rudi Voller - he will not adopt the celebration again.

Klopp said: 'It was a big ⁠issue. 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.

Felix Nmecha has vowed not to repeat his 'King's Return' celebration after a huge outcry

He was called into a meeting with Jurgen Klopp and Germany's sporting director Rudi Voller for the celebration which is connected with evangelical Christian group Ballers in God

'As the controversy escalated, I started looking into the details of the subject and trying to form a clear picture of it.

'I have known Felix Nmecha for a few months, and I can say that he is a very friendly young man, who is warm and open, and always spreads positive energy when he is with us.

'I confronted him with all the things you 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.

'For me ⁠the most important issue was settled. Then I said "how do we do it with the goal ⁠celebration?" He will not be celebrating like that.'

A vocal section of Dortmund fans opposed the club signing Nmecha from Wolfsburg in 2023 after he had shared anti-homosexual and anti-transgender posts.

Ballers in God was founded in 2015 by former Tottenham midfielder John Bostock and brings together a wide range of Christian players from across the pyramid with weekly sessions.

While the organisation does not hold an explicit stance on LGBTQ+ issues, their Instagram account did celebrate the end of the Rainbow Laces campaign in the Premier League last year.

In response to the Nmecha story, they wrote: 'We are encouraged by player-led movements such as The King's Return, where footballers themselves take the initiative to express their faith in Jesus.

Klopp says Nmecha told him he 'loves all people and does not discriminate against anyone'

'Our desire is not only to share our hope, but to demonstrate love and respect towards everyone, including those who do not share our beliefs.

'Our focus has always been, and will always be, to point people to Jesus with grace and love.'

Nmecha said: 'My message has never been about promoting intolerance, discrimination, or hate in any form.'

Back at Dortmund, Nmecha, 26, still faces scrutiny. A supporters' group claimed that his celebration clashed with club values and he has been reprimanded by senior figures.

The club's president, Hans-Joachim Watzke, said: 'The fan department has every right to start a discussion like this. I was at their annual general meeting on Monday. It was clear that those who were bothered by parts of his celebration were in a significant majority. So you have to take it seriously and discuss it.

'If he scores a goal and points his index fingers upwards, everyone knows he wants to thank God. He is also welcome to make the sign of the cross.

'But placing the crown on the grass - that is, of course, somewhat linked to Ballers in God. I don’t even want to judge it. When I look at what they stand for, Borussia Dortmund’s code of core values and Ballers in God’s fundamental outlook are not entirely compatible. We don’t want that in our living room.

'I told him: "Felix, if you sense that it is dividing the fans, perhaps you will also realise that you shouldn’t do it any more." He wants to think about it. We had a wonderful conversation with him. We had a one-hour video call. That is where we are now, and he will think about it. I hope we can find a sensible solution.

'I like Felix Nmecha very much. We have a very, very good relationship and speak frequently. As a practising Catholic, I am the last person who would want to forbid someone from praying. That is not what this is about at all. It is legitimate, too. The only question we are discussing with him is the second part of his celebration.'