Borussia Dortmund supporters have protested against the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
The club announced the three-year deal this week, which will see the company logo displayed on Dortmund products ahead of the Champions League final.
The branding will also be placed on billboards around the club’s Signal Iduna Park stadium and during press conferences, but will not appear on shirts.
It was the first time a Bundesliga side had signed a sponsorship deal with a German defense company and the move sparked anger among the club’s loyal fan base.
Thousands of Dortmund supporters secured seats at Wembley for their side’s clash against Real Madrid and chose to take a stand against the deal.
Borussia Dortmund supporters protested against the club’s deal with an arms manufacturer
During the Champions League final, a large banner was unfurled at the end of Dortmund
At the front of one of Wembley’s stands, two large banners were unfurled with two joined messages written in German and English.
The striking sign read: ‘Rheinmetall: Using football to create a cleaner image? Protect BVB [Dortmund] of sportswashing is our mission!’
Rheinmetall is based in Düsseldorf – a city 70 km away from Dortmund – and is considered the largest ammunition manufacturer in Europe.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Dortmund, said: “Security and defense are fundamental cornerstones of our democracy. Especially today, when we see every day how freedom in Europe must be defended. We have to deal with this new (normal).”
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said the company, worth almost 4 billion euros, shares “a similar attitude, ambitions and origins” as Dortmund.
Rheinmetall is the largest arms company in Europe (photo: one of the company’s factories)
Dortmund’s official supporters group confirmed they had held discussions with the club prior to the announcement and expressed their opposition to the sponsorship.
The German Peace Society, a pacifist group led by Dortmund supporter Michael Schulze von Glasser, has called on the club to end the deal.
‘I am very shocked. I never expected that BVB would even consider partnering with an arms company,” said Schulze von Glasser.
He added that he was offended both “as a Dortmund fan and a peace activist.”
Gary Lineker also expressed his disapproval, revealing that the deal saw him support Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
