Ukraine conflict: Schalke 04 examines partnership with Russian main sponsor Gazprom

Created: 02/22/2022, 15:05

By: Antonio Jose Riether

FC Schalke 04 is caught between the chairs due to its close financial partnership with Gazprom.

In a statement, the second division appealed to peace.

Gelsenkirchen - The increasingly escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine could also have an impact on German football.

For a little over 15 years, FC Schalke 04 has maintained a close partnership with the Russian energy giant Gazprom, and the company's logo has adorned the jersey of the traditional club ever since.

On Tuesday, the Gelsenkircheners made a statement on the current situation and expressed their concern.

FC Schalke 04: Second division follows the looming Russia-Ukraine conflict "with great concern"

The second division club, sponsored by the world's largest energy company, said it was following the situation in Eastern Europe "with great concern" following the Russian government's recognition of the separatist areas in eastern Ukraine.

"FC Schalke 04 will monitor further developments, assess them and make a strong appeal for peace - to protect those affected by the crisis," the club wrote in the statement.

As the club's management said, in the current situation they are "aware of their special role among German sports clubs".

FC Schalke 04 is financed more precisely by the German subsidiary Gazprom Germania, which the club describes as a "reliable partner" and "relevant gas supplier for the Federal Republic of Germany".

FC Schalke 04: main sponsor half-owned by the Russian state - reference to club statutes

According to the announcement, since the situation escalated, those responsible at S04 have been “in constant dialogue with the long-standing main sponsor”, which is 50 percent owned by the Russian state.

The state also holds the majority of seats on the supervisory board of the billion-euro group.

With all the connections to the Russian government, the seven-time German champion positioned himself offensively against the conflict.

"For FC Schalke 04 there is no question that the club is committed to peace and peaceful coexistence," the announcement said.

The club referred to its mission statement, in which the members particularly anchored non-violence: "We Schalke players do not emanate any discrimination or violence," it says clearly in paragraph 8.

This attitude was explained in discussions with the company.

Many fans on social media also called on the club to break off the sponsorship relationship with the semi-state company.

However, there was no information about possible consequences on the part of Schalke.

(ajr)