Dortmund Confirms No Sporting Sanctions for Karim Adeyemi Over Illegal Weapon Incident
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has confirmed that Germany international Karim Adeyemi will not face any sporting sanctions after receiving a legal fine for attempting to illegally possess a weapon.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kovac said the club had thoroughly discussed the matter with the winger and concluded that Adeyemi would only be required to undertake community service. The coach emphasised that the incident would not affect Adeyemi’s selection or position in the squad for upcoming matches.
“It is no reason for me to ban him for the next few weeks,” Kovac said during a news conference after meeting with the player.
According to reports, Adeyemi had 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 until the authorities discovered its contents, resulting in a substantial fine for the player.
Kovac added, “I am not his father, but his coach. People should put things into proper perspective. Everything has now been addressed. Our focus is clearly on the Bundesliga, and Adeyemi will have our full support.”
The 2025–26 Bundesliga season has been challenging for Dortmund, as the team has lost four consecutive matches to VfB Stuttgart. Kovac hinted that the squad must now shift focus entirely to upcoming fixtures. “I can understand that people are bringing this up now. But we should put it behind us and focus on winning the next game,” he said.
Adeyemi is expected to feature in Dortmund’s match against VfB Stuttgart this weekend, and the club is keen to move past the incident while maintaining team cohesion. The winger remains a key figure in Dortmund’s attack, and the management has shown confidence in his professionalism despite the legal hiccup.
