Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke wants to find consensus with all club members regarding a contested sponsorship deal with German arms company Rheinmetall. Of 855 members who voted on Sunday at the annual general ...

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has defended the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with Germany’s biggest arms manufacturer despite strong criticism from fans.

Borussia Dortmund chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke on Monday called for a survey of the club's 218,000 members to gauge opinion on the controversial multi-million euro sponsorship deal with Germany's largest arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Borussia Dortmund members have voted with a big majority against a controversial sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer and technology company Rheinmetall. Of 855 participating members, 556 backed a motion at the general assembly to end the partnership as soon as possible and at the latest when the three-year deal expires.

Borussia Dortmund's team received a warm welcome at the club's general assembly on Sunday after maintaining a 100% home record, before a vast majority of members voted against the club's controiversial sponsorship deal with arms makers Rheinnmetall.

Borussia Dortmund’s sponsorship deal with an arms maker profiting from wars in Ukraine and elsewhere looks set to be a major topic for discussion at the club’s AGM on Sunday.