Rheinmetall, an embarrassing sponsor for Borussia Dortmund – DW – 11/25/2024

Monday 25th November 2024 05:54 PM

The Borussia Dortmund General Assembly took place on Saturday November 23 in a very tense atmosphere. The reason? The Bundesliga club signed a sponsorship contract this summer with Rheinmetall, one of the largest arms producers in the world. BVB fans have demanded accountability from the club’s general director, Hans-Joachim Watzke.

A supporter of Borussia Dortmund since his childhood, Wilfried Harthan did not mince his words. Referring to the contract which currently binds the BVB to the arms company, the man in his sixties described an alliance “unnatural”.

In addition to making their voices heard during the AGM, supporters placed several banners in front of the BVB stadium to denounce the contract with Rheinmetall. Image : Bernd Thissen/dpa/picture alliance

“If weapons of war are produced then they must also be used. Rheinmetall makes money off of people’s deaths and misery. This does not correspond to the core values of Borussia Dortmund“, assured the supporter who spoke in front of a packed room.

Wilfried Harthan’s words are shared by many supporters of the club who have been fighting for months for the contract between the two entities to be terminated as quickly as possible.

A company with a troubled past

Rheinmetall is the 19th largest arms producer in the world. Its history is also closely linked to the Second World War, the group having been nationalized by the Nazi regime. Many workers deported to concentration camps worked for the company’s factories.

A few years ago, Borussia Mönchengladbach was approached by Rheinmetall but refused any association. BVB fans would therefore have liked club director Hans-Joachim Watzke to do the same. The latter spoke of a difficult decision but that “always assume“, evoking in particular the economic realities of football.

According to information from the Sports showthe current contract stipulates that BVB will receive 20 million euros for three years.

The CEO of Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke, recalled that he was not the only person to decide within the club and that the management committee had, as a whole, given its agreement to the contract.Image : Bernd Thissen/dpa/picture alliance

The supporters do not intend to give up. Of the 855 members present at the AGM, 556 voted in favor of a motion of censure. Wilfried Harthan hopes that the BVB management will terminate the contract.

If the motion of censure has no legal implications, Borussia Dortmund has based a large part of its reputation on respecting and listening to its members.