Borussia Dortmund fans expressed their disapproval of the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with an arms manufacturer, Rheinmetall, during the team’s Bundesliga opener. Banners at the stadium criticized the deal, with one stating, “Money first, values second,” and another saying, “Our values rolled over by a tank.” The fans were noticeably quieter at the start of the second half in protest, with more than 81,000 attending the match.
Campaigners took their protest a step further by setting up a dummy tank outside the stadium before the game, and an activist wore a mask with the face of Rheinmetall’s CEO, Armin Papperger, while holding a red card. The supporter association Südtribüne Dortmund had signaled the intent of over 90 fan groups to oppose the deal during the game, encouraging fans to bring placards criticizing the sponsorship.
The association also criticized the timing of Dortmund’s announcement of the deal, stating that it came as a “bombshell” in May, just three days before the team lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Rheinmetall is expected to make record group sales of around 10 billion euros this year and announced the construction of a new factory with extensive production capacity. The company has a history dating back to the late 19th century and was a major armaments manufacturer during both World Wars, utilizing forced labor during World War II.
The fans’ protest against the sponsorship deal highlights a growing concern about the ethics of sports partnerships with controversial industries like the arms manufacturing sector. The banners and activists at the Dortmund match demonstrate a strong stance against the connection between football clubs and companies involved in the production of weapons. The fan-led opposition raises questions about the values and priorities of football clubs in choosing their sponsors and the impact of such decisions on their fan base.
As the debate surrounding Borussia Dortmund’s partnership with Rheinmetall continues, it brings attention to the role of fans in holding clubs accountable for their choices and advocating for ethical partnerships. The protest during the Bundesliga opener reflects a broader movement within football fans to challenge sponsorship deals that conflict with their values. The pressure from supporters may prompt clubs to reconsider their associations with companies involved in controversial industries and align more closely with the ethical concerns of their fan base. The controversy surrounding the Dortmund-Rheinmetall deal raises important discussions about the intersection of sports, business, and social responsibility.
