Borussia Dortmund, considered one of Germany’s most profitable soccer golf equipment, is rooted within the industrial Ruhr area and prides itself on retaining its working-class roots, neighborhood engagement and anti-establishment mentality.

That’s why, within the week earlier than one of many largest video games within the membership’s historical past, some Dortmund followers are indignant a few sponsorship cope with Rheinmetall, a significant German weapons producer. Everybody from membership officers to lawmakers have weighed in on the transfer, which has provoked a debate in regards to the normalization of the army in German society. Nonetheless, many followers would relatively simply concentrate on Dortmund’s look within the showcase sport of the European season, the Champions League last on Saturday towards Actual Madrid.

Dortmund’s three-year partnership with Rheinmetall, announced on Wednesday, consists of promoting and advertising rights in Dortmund’s stadium and membership grounds however not — crucially for some — a spot on the crew’s famed black and yellow jerseys. Neither facet would verify the quantity of the deal.

Generations of Germans, raised on the postwar concept that “by no means once more” ought to their nation foment an armed battle, stay uneasy associating with the protection trade. Not like in the US, the place skilled and college-level sports activities video games usually function troopers in uniform unfurling American flags and flyovers from fighter jets, at sporting occasions in Germany outward shows of patriotism and associations with the army are uncommon.

Some followers wish to maintain it that manner.

“Borussia Dortmund is a soccer membership that has been a standard-bearer for tolerance and social initiatives,” mentioned Inge Fahle, a retired instructor from Dortmund and a fan of the membership since childhood. “A sponsorship with a weapons producer simply doesn’t work,” she mentioned.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund’s chief govt, mentioned in an announcement that the membership was “consciously opening ourselves as much as a dialogue” by changing into companions with a weapons producer. He mentioned the partnership mirrored the position that an organization like Rheinmetall has come to play in German society, because the nation stepped in to assist Ukraine after it was invaded by Russia.

“Safety and protection are elementary cornerstones of our democracy,” Mr. Watzke mentioned. “Particularly right this moment, after we see every single day how freedom should be defended in Europe. We must always cope with this new normality.”

Robert Habeck, Germany’s economic system minister, this week additionally defended the sponsorship, noting it mirrored the geopolitical actuality now dealing with Europe. Germany has supplied about $30 billion in army assist for Ukraine, which embody munitions, tanks and different supplies made by Rheinmetall.

“Rheinmetall sponsoring a soccer membership is uncommon, but it surely reveals the place we’re at,” Mr. Habeck mentioned.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rheinmetall’s enterprise has surged. Shares of the corporate, which makes the Leopard tanks that Germany and a few of its NATO companions have despatched to Ukraine, have risen sixfold over the previous three years.

Armin Papperger, the Rheinmetall chief govt, mentioned he anticipated the corporate would obtain roughly a 3rd of the 100 billion euros ($109 billion) that Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged to revitalize the German army within the coming years.

Dortmund’s fortunes are additionally on the rise, due to its efficiency within the Champions League. The membership, which like all German groups is managed by its members however can also be the one membership within the nation’s prime league with shares that commerce on the inventory alternate, has upgraded its monetary forecasts two occasions this 12 months. It now expects to see a internet revenue of as much as €50 million, roughly double its goal originally of the season. Dortmund has the second-highest income within the German league, behind Bayern Munich, according to Deloitte.

When requested in regards to the sponsorship, Dortmund’s sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, mentioned that he would prefer to concentrate on Saturday’s game.

Followers play a strong position in German soccer and have been recognized to stage demonstrations towards selections they see as overly business or in any other case compromising the game.

Earlier this 12 months, a backlash pressured the league to desert talks with a non-public fairness agency over a deal that may have supplied groups with a $1 billion money injection in alternate for a portion of broadcasting revenues. Mr. Watzke of Dortmund is chairman of the league’s supervisory board.

The leaders of Dortmund’s followers relations division issued a terse assertion saying that they had been specializing in the Champions League last. However they confirmed that administration had spoken with them in regards to the deal prematurely they usually had objected to it.

“It isn’t at all times potential to succeed in a consensus in these dialogues,” they mentioned. “As was the case on this occasion.”

Anna Neumann, who works in native politics within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and can be rooting for Dortmund on Saturday, mentioned that a number of Premier League groups in England are sponsored by playing corporations and companies with ties to international locations criticized by human rights organizations in Germany.

“Rheinmetall helps folks in Ukraine to defend freedom and self-determination,” Ms. Neumann mentioned. “I’ve heard from pals and folks that they don’t assume it’s such a foul deal, neither is the controversy surrounding it.”