DFB to Speak With Nmecha Over Faith on the Pitch
Rudi Völler, sporting director of the German football federation, will talk with the Dortmund player after fans criticized his celebration.
Two goals, one celebration gesture and a call from the federation. Felix Nmecha celebrated his brace with "The Return of the King," from the network "Ballers in God," as MARCA reported. His faith on the pitch stopped being private.
Rudi Völler, sporting director of the German Football Association (DFB), will be the one to speak with the Dortmund midfielder. He said publicly that freedom of religion and belief exists, and that he understands the debate. He made clear that the matter also shouldn't be given too much importance.
Two goals and a gesture with an owner
On Saturday, against Elversberg, Nmecha scored twice and celebrated with the gesture from that campaign. Ballers in God is a network of Christian footballers founded in 2015 by John Bostock, formerly of Tottenham, Lens and Crystal Palace, now without a club. Nmecha belongs to it and was called up by Klopp for the international break.
«Between shining and dazzling there is a difference: who the light points to.»
The uproar didn't come from the gesture, but from what is attributed to the network. Dortmund's fan department issued an official reprimand. In it, it claims that these networks, using faith as a pretext, hold a view that devalues people for their sexual orientation, gender identity or personal decisions.
The text adds that in those circles homosexuality was described as a sin and abortion as Satan's plan. These are claims made in the fans' statement.
The club will speak after the break
Dortmund confirmed that it will talk with Nmecha after the break and recalled that personal convictions have a place in a diverse society. It added that the player has conducted himself with respect since his first day and has given no reason to doubt it.
There is a clue here for anyone who follows Jesus and lives in public. Faith isn't defended with a megaphone or hidden in a locker room. It is explained, calmly and with actions.
Peter wrote to believers who were a pressured minority: "always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15, ESV).
Visible faith without a showcase
There are two ways to ruin a testimony. One is to turn faith into a cultural flag, a trench that sorts people into good and bad before listening. The other is to turn it into a show: a gesture for the camera, a personal brand, a way to gain followers. Neither is the gospel.
Faith is also not a prize for performance. A brace doesn't make anyone more spiritual, and a missed penalty doesn't take anyone out of God's love. The gospel doesn't crown champions: it crowns Christ. That frees us from the idolatry of the athlete and from the fanaticism that turns a stadium into a temple.
Jesus spoke of a light that is set up high, not to show off, but so that others look to the Father: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, ESV). Between shining and dazzling there is a difference: who the light points to.
This week someone is going to ask you why you don't do what everyone else does, why you forgive or why you go to church. Don't prepare a speech; prepare a kind answer and let your actions back it up.
The question remains open for Nmecha, for you and for me: can you live your faith in public without turning it into a flag or a show? He wrote on his social media: "I love all people and I don't discriminate against anyone. God's love is for everyone."
