Dortmund Fans Protest Arms Deal
- Borussia Dortmund fans plan to protest against the club's sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
- The Bundesliga season is expected to begin with major protests from the supporters.
- Fans are expressing concerns over the club's partnership with a defense company.
DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund supporters are gearing up for significant protests as the Bundesliga season approaches, in response to the club's recent sponsorship agreement with Rheinmetall, a prominent German arms manufacturer. Fans have expressed strong disapproval, stating that the management's decision to partner with a company known for its military production undermines the club's values and tarnishes its reputation. The three-year deal, announced just days before Dortmund's Champions League final against Real Madrid, has sparked outrage among the fanbase. Rheinmetall, recognized as the world's largest producer of artillery ammunition, is projected to achieve record sales of approximately 10 billion euros this year, bolstered by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and other regions. The company, which has a controversial history including the use of forced labor during World War II, recently revealed plans to expand its production capabilities in Germany. The timing of the sponsorship announcement has been criticized, with fan representatives claiming they were not consulted during negotiations and suggesting that the club aimed to divert attention from potential backlash by coinciding the news with the high-profile match. In response to the deal, the fan group Südtribüne has called for supporters to voice their opposition during the upcoming home match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Protest organizers plan to display a tank adorned in Dortmund colors and feature an activist impersonating Rheinmetall's CEO. Despite the backlash, Dortmund chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke has publicly defended the sponsorship, indicating a divide between club management and its supporters.