Borussia Dortmund CEO defends club’s sponsorship deal with Germany’s biggest arms manufacturer

By The Associated Press

FILE - A banner against Borussia Dortmund's sponsorship deal with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall is displayed during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Signal Iduna Park stadium, in Dortmund, Germany, on Aug. 24, 2024. (Bernd Thissen/dpa via AP, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Bernd Thissen]

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has defended the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with Germany’s biggest arms manufacturer despite strong criticism from fans. The Rheinmetall deal was a major issue at the club’s AGM on Sunday, when members were greeted by two mock tanks and an information stand against the agreement as they arrived at the venue. Members then blasted the deal in three motions brought against it. One motion urged the club to end the partnership with Rheinmetall as soon as possible. But Watzke was unbowed, saying the club’s leadership had discussed it “intensively” before deciding to proceed.