Russia-Ukraine, the choice of Schalke: off the sponsor Gazprom

A step back to take a clear position. Schalke have decided to remove the wording “Gazprom” from the shirts with immediate effect. This was communicated by the German club with a tweet. “With reference to the events and developments of the last few days, we have decided to remove all references to our main sponsor from the shirts”. This decision came after a confrontation with the German exponents of Gazprom.

THE SITUATION

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Schalke will play in the second division against Karlsuher on Saturday. In this circumstance the Gelsenkirchen club will play with the inscription “Schalke 04” on the chest. However, it is not yet decided whether it will remain so or whether a new agreement with another company will be sought. “We will inform in the future about possible next steps of the company”. Not only that, however, because Schalke also communicated the removal of Matthias Warning from the board of directors. The man is in fact from Gazprom, he is considered a trusted man of Vladimir Putin, as well as being the CEO of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, a company closely linked to Gazprom.

Not painless decision

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“We are shocked by the images coming from Ukraine,” said Schalke press officer Marc Siekmann. Gazprom has been the main sponsor of Schalke for 15 years, a club which, it is right to mention it to highlight the importance of the club’s decision, is seriously indebted. Gazprom, at the moment, pays around 10 million euros a year to Schalke in exchange for advertising. Only a few months ago the agreement between the parties was extended until 2025. Now, however, the collaboration is at risk. Schalke have decided to take a step back. To take a clear position.