Klopp calls Nmecha's celebration a Belgrade religious truce
One man, many words: Jürgen Klopp speaks in Belgrade and describes Nmecha's celebration gesture as a Belgrade religious peace, while he reports on the national team at the Rajko Mitic Stadium. He emphasizes that the conversation is a sign of mutual respect and that the week with the squad was full of positive impressions.
When Jürgen Klopp spoke on Thursday evening at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade, better known as Marakana, about the past week, there were two stories to tell.
First story – businesslike
He dealt with the first story rather in a businesslike manner.
He said he had gained very good impressions from a training week with the football national team.
He waited for the question about the second story before speaking more in depth about Felix Nmecha.
Second story – Nmecha's celebration
Klopp explained that he had watched football last weekend and had observed two wonderful goals as well as the celebration “first the celebration, then the gesture”.
He emphasized that he had not thought anything further about it.
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Subsequently he discussed Nmecha's controversial “crown” celebration in the BVB jersey, which he analyzed in three parts.
In the first part he presented Nmecha as an exceptionally friendly, warm and open young man who only radiates good vibes.
The two further parts referred to a conversation between the national team coach and Nmecha at the beginning of the week in Herzogenaurach.
There Nmecha assured that he loves all people and discriminates against no one.
Klopp explained that with this the most important part was settled.
The less important part dealt with the question of how the goal celebration should be handled.
Nmecha replied that he will forego the celebration in the future because he does not want it to trigger negative reactions in some people.
From Klopp's perspective, that said everything, a Belgrade religious peace achieved.
Nmecha now apparently stands more firmly on Klopp's side than the Dortmund club chief Hans‑Joachim Watzke, who had contact via video link and reported his willingness to reconsider the celebration.