Schalke remove Gazprom logo from shirts after Russia invades Ukraine as pressure grows on UEFA to cut ties

Bundesliga club Schalke have removed the logo of sponsors Gazprom from their shirts following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while there is growing pressure on UEFA to cut ties with the energy giant.

Russian state-owned Gazprom have been Schalke’s main sponsor for the past 15 years, starting back in 2007, while the company is also one of UEFA’s biggest sponsors with a deal worth a reported €40million (£33.4m) per year.

Schalke have come under pressure to end their relationship with the company following the situation in Ukraine and German newspaper Bild have already been covering up the logo with a ‘Freedom for Ukraine’ message.

Now the Bundesliga side, one of the most popular clubs in Germany, have removed the Gazprom logo from their shirts and are set to review their relationship with the Russian company.

A statement on Thursday read: ‘Following recent developments and escalation, FC Schalke 04 have decided to remove the logo of main sponsor Gazprom from the club’s shirts.

‘It will be replaced by lettering reading ‘Schalke 04’ instead.’

The club added: ‘The association will inform you about further possible steps in due course.’

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The news comes after board member Matthias Warnig stepped down from his position, having been appointed as a representative of Gazprom on the club’s supervisory board since July 2019.

Ex-Stasi officer Warnig was also a managing director for Nord Stream 2 – which the German government has halted approval of – while German broadcaster Deutsche Welle claims he is