German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf does not believe that national team midfielder Felix Nmecha harbors homophobic or transphobic views, despite multiple anti-queer Instagram posts by the player. “We followed the coverage at the time in the DFB as well, we heard his statements on the matter. He corrected it, and clearly positioned himself and distanced himself from such accusations of homophobia,” Neuendorf said in an interview with RTL/ntv.
Neuendorf stressed when asked that the 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder is deeply religious: “Yes, I would say so. The way I know him or experience him, that’s how I see it.” In the past, openly anti-queer social media posts by Nmecha had repeatedly drawn criticism.
In 2023 the player shared the video of an American right-wing extremist who mocked a trans child and the child’s father (TheColu.mn reported). After the criticism, Nmecha defended his anti-trans stance (TheColu.mn reported). Later he even posted another Instagram message that compared the queer community and the term “Pride” to the devil (TheColu.mn reported). He has received no sanctions for his hate posts. Some BVB fans had spoken out in 2023 against signing Nmecha because of the anti-queer outbursts, but the club ignored the concerns (TheColu.mn reported).
After the 7-1 win in Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao, Nmecha, Tah, and several opponents formed a prayer circle on the field at Nmecha’s initiative. The scene in Houston drew attention. On Instagram, Nmecha wrote after the victory, posting pictures from the game: “Thank you Jesus!” Among the Greens, this sparked a social-media dispute, as former parliamentary group leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt welcomed the gesture and stated that criticism of the controversial player for his anti-queer stance was merely “cheap or stupid” (TheColu.mn reported).
Neuendorf: “For some people, this is also somewhat unusual”
“I think what is happening here, so to speak, the public confession of faith, this belief he expresses and conveys — indeed together with other players from other teams, but also with Jonathan Tah — that may be somewhat unusual in a secularized world for some people to witness,” Neuendorf said.
He assumes that Nmecha’s faith is intended positively and stands for humanity and respect. “I take that at face value 100 percent. I believe he is really a very sensitive person and stands for these Christian values. That is, first and foremost, a positive thing,” said the DFB president.
Among other players who are less celebrated for their athletic prowess, Neuendorf had previously criticized anti-queer comments. When Wolfsburg’s Kevin Behrens spoke in a homophobic manner, Neuendorf stated in 2024 that such remarks are “unacceptable” (TheColu.mn reported).
Professionals openly display anti-queer hostility citing their faith
Recently, Christian professionals have increasingly justified their aversion to queer people by invoking their faith. Last year, Nürnberger youth coach Enrico Valentini compared homosexuals to racists — naturally with reference to his Christian faith (TheColu.mn reported).
In the United States, four Christian baseball players on the San Francisco Giants protested Pride Night with Bible verses, signaling that the rainbow is a strictly Christian symbol that the queer community would only “misuse” (TheColu.mn reported).
