Akin Ayomide
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac said Germany international Karim Adeyemi will not face any sporting sanctions despite receiving a legal fine for attempting to illegally possess a weapon.
Kovac told reporters on Thursday that the club had discussed the matter with the winger and decided he would only be required to undertake community service, adding that the incident would not affect his place in the squad.
“It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks,” Kovac told a news conference after talks with the winger.
Adeyemi reportedly ordered an online “mystery box” in early 2024, unaware that it contained items prohibited under German weapons law.
The package was delivered months later and remained unopened when it came to the attention of the police, leading to a substantial fine.
Kovac added, “I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective.
“Everything has now been said about it. The focus is clearly on the Bundesliga. He will get our full support for that.”
Dortmund hosts VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, having lost four times in a row in the league to the south-west club.
“I can understand that people are bringing this up now. So we should go and win the game,” added Kovac.