Borussia Dortmund’s Nigerian-born star Karim Adeyemi is at the centre of controversy after being convicted for possessing illegal weapons in Germany
Karim Adeyemi’s preparations for Germany’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia were overshadowed by revelations of an off-field scandal that erupted just hours before kickoff.
The Nigerian-born Borussia Dortmund attacker was thrust into headlines after it emerged he had been convicted of possessing prohibited weapons in Westphalia earlier this month.
Conviction shocks German FA as Adeyemi faces scrutiny
According to reports from Sport Bild, Adeyemi ordered a brass knuckle set and a taser online, items classified as illegal weapons under German law.
When authorities discovered the items in his possession, a Ruhr district court handed down a significant penalty: a €450,000 fine to be paid over two months.
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Karim Adeyemi has not played for Germany since June 2022 against Hungary (Imago/ActionPictures)
Surprisingly, the German Football Association (DFB) only became aware of the conviction after media reports surfaced late last week, forcing officials to scramble for information during an already tense international window.
National team coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed he had spoken with the 23-year-old, though he declined to discuss details ahead of Germany’s high-stakes match.
Adeyemi, who was suspended for the previous qualifier against Luxembourg, was available for selection against Slovakia but ultimately remained unused on the bench despite all substitutions being made.
Rudi Völler confirms possible sanctions as DFB weighs disciplinary action
DFB chief Rudi Völler later addressed the situation, revealing that Borussia Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken had notified the federation shortly after the initial report.
Both Völler and Nagelsmann confronted Adeyemi to hear his version of events, with the forward admitting he had hoped the matter would not become public.
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Rudi Voller, Germany’s FA Chief || Photo Credit: Daily Mail
Rudi Voller, Germany’s FA Chief || Photo Credit: Daily Mail
Völler described the act as “naive and dumb,” stressing that while young players sometimes make poor decisions, the seriousness of the incident cannot be dismissed.
The federation is now monitoring the case closely, with the possibility of internal sanctions still on the table once full discussions are held.