In the wake of the new significant escalation of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Schalke 04 (German D2) announced that it would continue its partnership with the Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Schalke 04 has no intention of breaking a fifteen-year partnership. And maybe you can’t stand it. FC Gelsenkirchen, currently in Germany’s second tier, announced on Tuesday that it will continue its sponsorship contract with Gazprom, despite The crisis in UkraineAccording to information reported by the German public media ARD.

The management of the German club welcomed “a reliable partner and an important supplier of gas to the Federal Republic of Germany”, taking care to “monitor the development of the situation” between Russia and Ukraine. She also confirmed the signing of an official sponsorship contract with the Federal Republic of Germany. The German subsidiary of Gazprom, Gazprom Germany.

You are in financial trouble

Gazprom is the main sponsor of the Schalke 04 jersey, and the two parties have been cooperating together since 2006. According to the latest news, the Russian oil and gas giant spends about 10 million euros per season on this announcement. The current contract runs until the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of the 2020-2021 season, Schalke does not appear to be able to break such a contract due to the issue of brand image. The club has been experiencing serious financial difficulties for several seasons. This prompted him, last summer, to withdraw from the European League of Legends Championship by selling his place for €30m.

The Ukraine crisis took a new turn Monday evening, with Russia recognizing pro-Russian separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. A situation that is closely watched by UEFA, as the 2022 Champions League final is scheduled to take place on May 28 in Saint Petersburg.