“We don’t want that in our living room”: Hans-Joachim Watzke sends a clear message to Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha after controversial celebration
Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke has expressed understanding of concerns over Felix Nmecha's controversial celebration gesture.
On the "colourFIELD tell-a-vision" podcast, Watzke discussed the debate at length. He said he understood why Borussia Dortmund's fan and support department had spoken out and called for a clear separation from the "The King's Return" campaign and the "Ballers in God" network.
"The fan department has every right to start a discussion like this. I was at its annual general meeting on Monday. Those who were troubled by parts of his celebration were clearly in the majority. So we have to take it seriously and discuss it," Watzke said.
After scoring twice on Saturday in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 win over SV Elversberg, Nmecha again drew attention with a celebration gesture expressing his support for "The King's Return", which is part of "Ballers in God". Kneeling, he mimed taking a crown from his head and placing it on the pitch in front of him.
The evangelical network "Ballers in God" faces accusations of espousing Christian-conservative positions and, among other things, condemning homosexuality as a sin and abortion as "Satan's plan".
What next for Felix Nmecha and his celebration gesture?
Watzke said Nmecha could have expressed his faith with a different celebration. He believes the debate is justified: "If he scores a goal and points his index fingers upwards, everyone knows he wants to thank God. He is welcome to make the sign of the cross as well. But placing the crown on the pitch: that is, of course, somewhat linked to Ballers in God. I don't want to judge it. When I look at what they stand for, Borussia Dortmund's code of fundamental values and the basic outlook of Ballers in God are not entirely compatible."
People at the club and in the fan department had gained the impression "that someone wants to create a link to Ballers in God". Borussia Dortmund want to distance themselves clearly from that. "We don't want that in our living room," Watzke said firmly.
Despite that, the Dortmund president did not want to attribute any bad intentions to Nmecha: "I like Felix Nmecha very much. We have a very, very good relationship and speak often. As a practising Catholic, I'm the last person who would want to forbid someone from praying. That's not what this is about at all. It's legitimate, too. The only question we are discussing with him is the second part of his celebration."
The club have already spoken to Nmecha about the implications of his action. According to media reports, Borussia Dortmund want the Germany international to refrain from the celebration in future. Nmecha himself has also stressed that his celebration was not intended to support any organisation or promote intolerance or discrimination.
