Germany forward Karim Adeyemi has apologized to his club Borussia Dortmund and the national team after receiving a court fine for the attempted illegal possession of weapons.
He now faces sanctions from the club and Germany Football Federation (DFB).
“It is not easy for me to talk about it. At the start of 2024, out of carelessness and without really thinking about what I was doing, I ordered a so-called ‘mystery box’ on the internet. It also contained items that are not permitted under weapons laws. Many months later the parcel was delivered, and it ended up unopened with the police,” Adeyemi said on Instagram on Wednesday.
“Nevertheless, it was a huge mistake. One I am very sorry about, which has cost me a lot and which I deeply regret. I know that I am in the public eye and am a role model. I did not live up to it. That is exactly why it hurts me all the more that I acted so carelessly.”
In coordination between his club and the DFB, the 23-year-old will take part in a social project in Dortmund and hold joint training sessions with children as a sporting sanction.
Adeyemi has 11 Germany caps. He was in the squad but did not feature in Monday’s 6-0 win over Slovakia, which clinched World Cup qualification for Germany. He was suspended for the previous match against Luxembourg due to yellow cards.
No criminal record
Germany team director Völler explained why Adeyemi had not approached his bosses when first aware of the issue.
“He probably hoped it would not come out.” Völler said. “We do not want to condemn him. This is a young person.”
Adeyemi has played for Dortmund since 2022 and remains under contract until 2027.
Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken said: “We took the matter very seriously of course and have since been able to talk to Karim Adeyemi at length about his behaviour. He deeply regrets his mistake.
“The player still does not have a criminal record. Karim Adeyemi has promised us firmly not to make such a mistake again. We trust him to stick to that.”
