Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha defends celebrations linked to evangelical group

HERZOGENAURACH, Germany (AP) — Germany and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha has responded to criticism of goal celebrations linked to an evangelical network by saying they’ve been misunderstood and are not meant to promote “intolerance, discrimination, or hate in any form.”

Nmecha, a devout Christian, was criticized by the Dortmund official supporters’ group at the weekend for celebrating goals with a gesture signifying the “The King’s Return” campaign linked to “Ballers in God,” a network of Christian soccer players.

Nmecha previously faced allegations of sharing homophobic and transphobic social media posts.

“My celebration is not intended to promote myself or any organization,” the player wrote on Tuesday on Instagram. “Rather, it is about laying my ‘crown’ before the soon coming King and pointing to Jesus, my hope and strength! My message has never been about promoting intolerance, discrimination, or hate in any form.”

Nmecha added: “As Christians, our message is one of love and respect for everyone, regardless of where they come from, what they believe, or what their worldview may be.”

The Dortmund fans’ group referenced research by German broadcaster ARD that accuses the “Ballers in God” network of labeling homosexuality as a sin and abortion as part a plan by Satan.

“We oppose religious networks that, under the guise of faith, propagate a worldview in which individuals are denigrated or excluded based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, way of life, or personal choices,” the supporters said in a statement.

Dortmund said on Sunday that it understood the fans’ concerns and would speak to the player.

News agency DPA reported that Germany coach Jürgen Klopp has already spoken to Nmecha about the issue at the national team camp in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, before upcoming Nations League games.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Dortmund's Felix Nmecha, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Elversbergin in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Dortmund's Felix Nmecha celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Elversbergin in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Dortmund's Felix Nmecha celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Elversbergin in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Dortmund's Felix Nmecha celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Elversbergin in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Dortmund's Felix Nmecha celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SV Elversberg in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

PARIS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterparts from the Group of Seven developed democracies are turning their attention toward Ukraine and how to support it in its struggle to defend itself from Russia.

As three-way talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States got underway in the United Arab Emirates, top G7 diplomats were meeting Tuesday with Ukraine’s foreign minister in France.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha started his day in Paris in talks with Rubio before heading to the French foreign ministry for a larger group meeting with the entire G7. Neither man spoke as they posed for photos ahead of their discussion.

The State Department said afterwards in a brief statement that the pair had “discussed negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war, energy resilience, and defense cooperation.”

The larger meeting was expected to cover defense and security assistance to Ukraine, which the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has reduced, causing consternation not only in Kyiv but in capitals across Europe, the largest of which — Paris, Berlin, Rome and London — are G7 members.

It was not immediately clear if the U.S. or any of its G7 partners would announce any new assistance for Ukraine.

Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner began talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials in part to persuade Moscow to agree to broader negotiations that would include key European officials on how to end nearly five years of war.

In Paris, Europeans have been clamoring for a seat at the table in Abu Dhabi, but two U.S. officials said Monday that representatives from Britain, Germany, France, NATO and the European Union would not join the main talks but rather discuss potential security guarantees and the long-term security architecture between Russia and Europe beforehand.

Russia has resisted European participation in negotiations and insisted the talks should proceed strictly as a trilateral format involving Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. The three last held talks in February.

But on Monday in Paris, German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul, who met separately with Rubio on the sidelines of the G7, was emphatic that Europe must be included.

“I am still very grateful to the United States of America for making every effort to get the parties to the conflict to the table,” he said. “But I made clear again here that Europe belongs at this table. There can be no solution without Europe, only with Europe.”

Rubio said the U.S. has no objection to eventual European involvement in the direct talks, but that it wasn’t yet time.

“Ultimately, it would be a positive, but we’ve got a ways to go,” he told reporters after a full day of group and bilateral meetings with G7 counterparts. “But, no, it’s good that they’re talking, it’s good that the trilateral talks are on again. It’s better than not having talks.”

On the eve of the talks, Russia battered Ukraine’s power grid again on Monday and Ukrainian forces hit another of Russia’s biggest oil refineries.

The two countries remain locked in battle with no sign that either side is ready to budge from their demands. The war has already killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians, analysts and humanitarian organizations say.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press after a meeting with France's President on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers summit, in Paris, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/ Pool Photo via AP)