Michael Schulze von Glaßer/IMAGO/RHR-Foto/jW Montage
BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke’s “champion partnership” with Rheinmetall was not well received at the general meeting on Sunday
The scene seems monstrous. A steel monster stands on the forecourt, the metal-colored pipe is demonstratively extended and the target is aimed. At the entrance to the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. On Dead Sunday. But, take a breath. A dummy. A tank, not made of steel, made of cardboard. Not on chains, on rollers. Decorated with pennants and flags in black and yellow.
Reason for the performance: the general meeting (MV) of the Borussia Dortmund club (BVB). Antimilitarists from the German Peace Society – United War Resisters (DFG-VK) are protesting. At the end of May, the club’s outsourced professional department, the limited partnership on shares (KGaA), announced an advertising deal with the war group Rheinmetall. BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke and arms juggler Armin Papperger call it a “champion partnership”. Others have a pact to make the war business socially acceptable in sport, in short: sportwashing.
The DFG-VK, the Militarization Information Center (IMI) and the umbrella organization of critical shareholders published a study on this last Thursday – title: “Rheinmetall in the turning point”. Conclusion: The deal serves “the social normalization of arms transactions.” A charm offensive to cultivate the image of warmongers who need cannon fodder.
Many club members and fans don’t like that. They don’t want to be an advertising backdrop for the bringer of death from Düsseldorf. The majority anyway. “The reactions to our protest are mostly positive,” said Michael Schulze from Glaßer on Sunday morning jW-Conversation. What is noteworthy is that the opposition to the deal comes from different corners of the BVB, continued the political director of the DFG-VK. Also on the MV.
For the first time ten minutes before 1 p.m. Hundreds of members fill the hall parquet with seating. Jakob Scholz steps up to the pitch-black lectern with the BVB logo and the slogan “Real Love”. The chairman of the fan department speaks and warns: “This sponsorship is dividing us.” Applause erupts. Loudly. And: How does this fit in with the club’s core value code of “No Violence”? Probably not at all. Applause again. Then, fifteen minutes after 1 p.m., Watzke stands in front of the microphone – and uses gestures to talk about respect and decency. It is important not to ascribe the “role of evil” to anyone. Especially since the “partnership” with Rheinmetall was a “consideration decision.” Ultimately, all committees agreed – and he is up for a decision. But Watzke has already had “a few sleepless nights.” Frowning, expressions among those gathered.
Various ballots follow. Everything is going smoothly. It’s going to be an afternoon – and exciting again: applications from the MV. Three out of five for the Rheinmetall coup. Two of them are against war and death. The debate is getting more heated. But the majority is anti-war. The first motion to disapprove and not extend the deal passes: 556 of 855 voting members vote in favor.
Problem: The vote is not binding for Watzke. However, the controversy is not over. The annual general meeting of BVB is divided into two parts. After the general meeting, the KGaA’s general meeting will take place this Monday. Same place. Special treat: EU parliamentarian Martin Sonneborn (Die PARTEI) wants to be on the supervisory board. Why? »I’m running because I want to throw Rheinmetall out. Red card!” By the way, the cardboard tank against Papperger and Co. will then be in action again, assured Schulze von Glaßer.
