Dortmund reportedly set to ask Nmecha to stop crown celebration

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly preparing to ask Felix Nmecha to stop performing his controversial crown goal celebration, according to Kicker. The club's executive committee, led by president Hans-Joachim Watzke, has reportedly sided with its Fan and Supporters Department in wanting the German international to refrain from the gesture in future.

The 26-year-old performed the celebration after scoring twice in Dortmund's 2-1 Bundesliga win over SV Elversberg on Saturday. The gesture, which involves symbolically removing a crown and placing it before Jesus Christ, is associated with the "The King's Return" campaign. ARD investigations have linked the campaign's wider religious environment to discriminatory positions concerning homosexuality, gender identity and abortion.

Separate reporting from Westdeutscher Rundfunk indicates Watzke outlined the proposed measures at a meeting of the Fan and Supporters Department on Monday evening. Dortmund also reportedly intend to ask "Ballers in God" to stop prominently using Nmecha in promotional activities. A formal prohibition has not been publicly confirmed, and Dortmund declined further comment, referring Kicker to its Sunday statement.

Kicker also reports that Nmecha's public expressions of faith have prompted unease among some teammates, and notes that Carney Chukwuemeka performed the same celebration after scoring against Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal; Dortmund declined to clarify whether that gesture would be assessed differently. The club's annual general meeting is scheduled for November 22.