“We don’t want that in our home” – Dortmund chief speaks out on Nmecha’s controversial celebration and “Ballers in God” links

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke has had his say on the controversy surrounding Felix Nmecha’s crown celebration.

Felix Nmecha made plenty of headlines last weekend when he celebrated his brace against SV Elversberg by removing an imaginary crown from his head and placing it on the pitch.

The celebration has been linked to the ‘Ballers in God’ network, which LGBTQ+ organisations have classified as “Christian fundamentalist”, and its ‘The King’s Return’ campaign, leading to strong criticism from Borussia Dortmund’s Supporters Council.

Nmecha himself has since taken to Instagram to address what he considers to be “misunderstandings” surrounding his goal celebration.

“My celebration is not intended to promote myself or any organization. Rather, it is about laying my “crown” before the soon coming King and pointing to Jesus, my hope and strength! My message has never been about promoting intolerance, discrimination, or hate in any form,” he stated.

Borussia Dortmund president and German Football Association vice-president Hans-Joachim Watzke has now had his say on the controversy.

“It is the fan department’s right to initiate such a discussion. I attended their annual general meeting on Monday. It was clear that a significant majority of those who took issue with parts of his celebration were in favour of raising the matter. That means we have to take it seriously and discuss it,” Watzke said on the “colourFIELD tell-a-vision” podcast, via Bild.

The BVB president was keen to express his support for Nmecha as a person, while stressing that he has no issue with the midfielder expressing his Christian faith.

“I like Felix Nmecha very much. We have a very, very good relationship and speak to each other frequently. As a practising Catholic, I am also the last person who would want to forbid someone from praying. That is not what this is about at all. That is perfectly legitimate,” Watzke stressed.
 

“We don’t want that in our home”

According to Watzke, the issue lies with the crown gesture itself, with Borussia Dortmund concerned about being associated with the ‘Ballers in God’ network.

According to research by, among others, ARD’s “Monitor” programme, parts of the religious group hold homophobic and anti-LGBTQ+ views and describe abortion as “Satan’s plan”.

“The only question we are discussing with him concerns the second part of his celebration,” Watzke explained.

“If he scores a goal and points his index fingers towards the sky, everyone knows that he wants to thank God. He can also make the sign of the cross if he likes. But placing the crown on the pitch is, of course, somewhat associated with ‘Ballers in God’. I don’t want to pass judgement on it. But looking at what they stand for, Borussia Dortmund’s code of core values and the fundamental outlook of ‘Ballers in God’ are not entirely compatible.

“That is why people at our club, particularly in the fan department, have the impression that an attempt is being made to establish a link with ‘Ballers in God’. We don’t want that in our home.”

Watzke also confirmed that he has spoken directly to Nmecha, encouraging the midfielder to consider dropping the celebration to avoid creating divisions among the fanbase.

“I told him: ‘Felix, if you feel that it is dividing the fans, perhaps you might also come to the realisation that you should stop doing it because it is causing division.’ He wants to think about it. We had a wonderful conversation with him. We spent an hour on a video call. That is where things stand now, and he will give it some thought. I hope we can find a sensible solution,” Watzke said.