Nmecha, 24, initially wrote on Instagram, “Rest in peace with God. Such a sad day,” before editing the message to say, “May the Lord grant the Kirk family special grace during this time. Jesus is the true way to peace and love.” He later added that Kirk had “peacefully stood up for his beliefs and values.” However, the player’s simple condolences drew scrutiny in Germany.
The German soccer team Borussia Dortmund has started an investigation into the posts. Kirk was known for his support of the second amendment, opposition to abortion, and criticism of transgender ideology.
Musk reacted to the controversy by reposting commentary on X. One of the posts referenced calls from conservative figures in Germany to block Dortmund representatives from entering the United States during the 2026 World Cup over the incident. Musk also shared another post about Dortmund’s stance, adding the comment: “Wow,” alongside the statement, “What’s going on in Europe???”
Following criticism, Nmecha clarified his intent in a separate post: “My idea was to express condolences to the grieving family and send the message that hate and violence are never a solution. Having different political viewpoints and opinions is absolutely fine. I, too, disagree with many of the things Charlie Kirk stood for. But let’s remember that a human being was murdered in front of his wife and two young children. I believe that expressing compassion is human and should not be judged.”
Dortmund officials intend to “internally address” Nmecha’s posts but do not plan disciplinary action, reports SportsBible. The outlet added that the club wants to speak with the player, though punishment is “not under discussion.” SportsBible says that German outlet BILD reported that Nmecha’s contract includes a clause that could penalize him if his public statements contradict club values.
Nmecha has previously faced criticism for sharing content deemed anti-LGBTQ. In 2023, he reposted a video from commentator Matt Walsh talking about the father of a transgender child, and another post from a Christian account equating Pride with the devil.
