Schalke 04 has definitively broken with sponsor Gazprom, as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Königsblauen have thus taken a financial risk, but may receive help from an unexpected source: rival Borussia Dortmund may help.
After the first combat actions in Ukraine, Schalke already distanced itself from the influential and wealthy Russian state company. The rift between the two parties was finalized on Monday, the current number five of the Second Bundesliga announced through official channels.
That decision threatens to cost Schalke a lot of money: the agreement ran until 2025 and, according to Der Kicker, it yielded nine million euros a year. The club from Gelsenkirchen was nevertheless already struggling with major financial problems and cannot afford to miss out on promotion this season. if The Royal Blues return to the highest level, the Gazprom allowance would even rise to 15 million a year.
However, Borussia Dortmund director Hans-Joachim Watzke wants to show solidarity and help the neighbors. “I am pleased that Schalke has taken such a principled position,” he said before Monday afternoon’s news. The kicker† “We have to discuss what we can do if another club gets into trouble because of this.” Watzke has also been in contact with Schalke colleague Bernd Schröder: he does not go into the content, but emphasizes that it was ‘a good conversation’.
The board of directors of FC Schalke 04, with the approval of the supervisory board, decided to end the partnership between the #S04 and #GAZPROM to end prematurely.
More information will follow shortly. pic.twitter.com/0Xk3TLty0I
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) February 28, 2022
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