German sports world reacts to Ukraine war: "Failure of world politics" - Schalke 04 draws consequences

Created: 2022-02-24Updated: 2022-02-24 4:36 p.m

By: Marius Epp

The Ukraine conflict has escalated - sport is also affected.

We summarize the most important reactions from the German sports world.

Kiev - There is war in Europe again.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine in the night from Wednesday to Thursday *, Putin wants to take the neighboring country.

The first major consequence for sport: the Champions League final will not take place in St. Petersburg as planned.

Schalke 04 is also taking the consequences. Effective immediately, the second division team will no longer wear the jersey lettering of the Russian main sponsor Gazprom.

"In view of the events, development and escalation of the past few days, FC Schalke 04 has decided to remove the lettering of its main sponsor - 'GAZPROM' - from the jerseys," the club announced on Thursday.

Instead, "Schalke 04" will be on the chest of the Royal Blues.

Ukraine conflict: Schalke 04 distances itself from Russian main sponsor

In addition, Gazprom representative Matthias Warnig left the Knappen supervisory board with immediate effect.

Born in Lusatia, he is CEO of Nord Stream 2 AG and is considered a close confidante of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The mineral company is 50 percent owned by the Russian state.

For the time being, sponsor Gazprom will no longer be seen on Schalke 04's jersey.

© Teresa Kröger/imago

There have been verbal reactions from the Bundesliga to the Ukraine conflict.

Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart commented on the war at the press conference before the game against Greuther Fürth on Saturday.

For him, Russia's attack on Ukraine is a "failure of world politics".

In the end, “the little ones lose and the big ones argue”.

He hopes "that we will remain clear in this conflict and question everything," said Baumgart.

Ukraine conflict: Bundesliga teams react

Borussia Dortmund* wrote a statement and shared it on social media: “We are shocked and concerned that war has broken out on European soil.

BVB strongly condemns this blatant violation of international law!

Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine.”

Numerous Bundesliga clubs such as RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart or VfL Wolfsburg followed with their own announcements.

The DFL also published a statement and expressed solidarity with Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.

Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel * announced the boycott of this year's race in the Russian city of Sochi.

He will not attend.

"I am shocked by the terrible invasion of Ukraine," said the Heppenheimer.

Mick Schumacher also described the events as "terrible".