Gary Lineker fumes ‘first time I’ll be cheering for Real Madrid’ after Dortmund deal before Champions League final
GARY LINEKER has revealed he will be supporting Real Madrid in the Champions League final in response to Borussia Dortmund's latest sponsorship deal.
The former England star has never cheered on the Spanish giants before because of his allegiance to Barcelona.
But that is about to change as Lineker opposes a company Dortmund have taken on as a sponsor.
The German outfit announced a three-year deal with weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall.
In response to the news Lineker tweeted: "First time I’ll be cheering for Real Madrid in a Champions League final. 🙄"
The logo of the arms company will be displayed on Dortmund’s licensed products ahead of the club’s Champions League final on Saturday but will not appear on shirts.
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And Lineker is not the only opponent, with The German Peace Society managing director Michael Schulze von Glasser, a Dortmund fan, saying: “I am very shocked.
“I would never have expected that BVB would even consider entering into a partnership with an arms company.”
He added he was offended both “as a Dortmund fan and peace activist”.
Dortmund said in a statement announcing the ideal: "Rheinmetall is to become a new partner to Borussia Dortmund.
"The defence and technology group will appear in a sports and social context as a “Champion Partner” to the Bundesliga club moving ahead.
"The partnership has a term of three years and includes the use of wide-reaching advertising space, marketing rights and event and hospitality arrangements in the stadium and on the club grounds.
"The Rheinmetall logo will be displayed for the first time while BVB is preparing for the Champions League final."