A leading international player with a top German football club has had his social media freedom put under strict limitations.
Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha is now required to submit his posts to his club for approval before publishing them. The move yesterday came after his public show of support for the family of the assassinated US activist Charlie Kirk.
Apart from requiring approval by the media department for his posts, Nmecha did not receive a penalty or other sanctions.
Earlier, Dortmund’s sporting managing director Lars Ricken and sporting director Sebastian Kehl had said the club supports freedom of expression 100 per cent.
But due to what he called the unrest around Nmecha’s comments, he said the club decided to step in.
Nmencha himself had already said of his posts: “My idea was to offer condolences to the grieving family and send the message that hatred and violence are never a solution.
“Having different political points of view and opinions is absolutely okay. I also disagree with many of the things that Charlie Kirk stood for.
“But let us remember that a man was murdered in front of his wife and two young children. I believe that expressing his sympathy is human and should not be condemned.”
Shortly after the high-profile shooting on September 10, Nmecha had written several posts on Instagram.
“Rest in peace with God. Such a sad day,” the 24-year-old footballer had initially written. He later changed that to: “May the Lord assist the Kirk family with special grace at this time. Jesus is the true way to peace and love.”
Nmecha then wrote: “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Celebrating the murder of a father of two, a husband and a man who peacefully stood up for his beliefs and values is truly evil and shows how much we need Christ. May God have mercy and open our eyes and hearts, in the name of Jesus.”
On September 12, he continued: “Politics aside, expressing condolences is human and should not be outlawed.”
According to the club, these words had “caused quite a stir and provoked opposition, especially in fan circles”.
Nmecha, whose mother is German and father Nigerian and who openly professes evangelical Christianity, has often been criticised for his political statements.
According to some in Germany, these remarks were “homophobic” and “anti-queer”.
Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University while speaking to students. He was a firm believer in debates, saying it was necessary for people to understand each other and to prevent violence.
🚨🇩🇪 Felix Nmecha, a Christian, shared a story about another Christian father of two who was recently shot, and half of Dortmund’s fanbase attacked him. Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be a fan of this club. pic.twitter.com/orRQikytbm
— Dortmund Universe (@UniverseBVB) September 12, 2025
