Tensions between Russia and Ukraine: FC Schalke maintains its partnership with Gazprom (RUS, gas)

FC Schalke 04 (2.Bundesliga) has confirmed that it will maintain its partnership with Russian company Gazprom (gas and electricity supplier) despite diplomatic and military tensions between Russia and Ukraine, on 22/02/2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on 21/02/2022 to recognise the independence of two "separatist republics" in eastern Ukraine (Donestsk and Lugansk), and then ordered the Russian army to go and "maintain peace" in these territories in the Ukrainian region of Donbass.

Despite its "great concerns" regarding this situation, FC Schalke 04 stresses that its partnership with Gazprom, its main shirt sponsor since 2012-13 (partner since 2006-07), has officially shifted to the Russian group's German subsidiary, 'Gazprom Germania', "a reliable partner and a relevant gas supplier from the Federal Republic of Germany."

Gazprom is committed to FC Schalke 04 until 2024-25 in return for an annual fee of €10m. The parent company of the group, in which the Russian state is the main shareholder (50.2% of the shares in total), is based in Saint Petersburg (RUS).

As part of…