Schalke have confirmed they have agreed to end the long-running partnership
German football club Schalke 04 have confirmed they have agreed to terminate their partnership with Russian state-owned energy corporation Gazprom.
The 2. Bundesliga side announced last week that they would be removing all Gazprom branding from their shirts in response to Russia's widely condemned invasion of Ukraine.
Schalke's long-term partnership with Gazprom dates back to 2008, with the energy company's logo their main shirt sponsor since the deal was first agreed.
https://twitter.com/s04_en/status/1498240249834741768
"The FC Schalke 04 managing board and supervisory board have come to the agreement to end the club’s partnership with GAZPROM prematurely," a brief statement from the club said on Monday.
"The club are currently in discussions with representatives of the current sponsor and further information will be released at a later date."
All Gazprom branding had been removed from Schalke players' shirts for the Gelsenkirchen side's game with Karlsruhe at the weekend. Several supporters at the game had also taped over the company's logo on their own replica shirts.
Vladimir Putin approved Russia's invasion during the early hours of last Thursday morning, following weeks of simmering tension along Ukraine's eastern border.
In response, several western nations have placed sanctions on Russia and some of its wealthiest individuals. This has been seen across the football world too, where clubs and federations have taken out their own measures.
Most notable, perhaps, is UEFA's decision to strip St Petersburg of this year's Champions League final. The Gazprom Arena had been scheduled to play host to the game at the end of May. However, after calls European football's showpiece event to be moved elsewhere, it was later confirmed that the game would be played in Paris.
Gazprom have also been one of UEFA's most significant sponsors in recent years, though
discussions to end this deal have already taken place.
In England, Manchester United confirmed they had terminated their partnership with Russian airline Aeroflot, after the UK government prevented it from being able to trade in the country.
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