February 24, (THEWILL) – Due to recent developments after Russia started an all-out invasion of Ukraine, German soccer club Schalke 04, tweeted on Thursday that the Gazprom logo would be removed from their shirts. Gazprom is the Russian majority state-owned multinational energy corporation.
Germany is a big Russian gas customer and a long-time Gazprom partner. Gazprom has been sponsoring FC Schalke 04, one of the most popular Bundesliga teams, since 2007. With the partnership, the Gazprom emblem was emblazoned on the sporting clothing of the club, until now.
The decision to remove the logo, follows other reactions in the world of sports to the Russian attacks in Ukraine sanctioned by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, against the diplomatic entreaties of world leaders in the West and the American President Joe Biden.
Earlier, THEWILL reported that the Formula 1 racing pair of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, urged for Russia to be banned from the Formula One calendar and the scrapping of the Russian Grand Prix. Vettel stated that if the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi is held as scheduled on September 25, he would not compete and Verstappen said it was wrong to race in a country at war.
UEFA is also reportedly poised to move the Champions League final away from the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg as a result of the attacks on Ukraine with a special Friday meeting called by UEFA.
In addition, FIFA is also facing requests to exclude Russia from the World Cup qualifying play-offs, which are set to take place at the end of March and will pit them against Poland.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
