The majority of Borussia Dortmund club members voted against a controversial advertising deal on Sunday. BVB shareholders see things differently.

In the dispute over an advertising contract with the arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, the majority of Borussia Dortmund shareholders did not vote against the deal. The umbrella organization of critical shareholders had submitted a motion not to approve the management’s actions regarding the contract with the arms manufacturer. However, the majority of shareholders (99.84 percent) did not support this motion.

On Sunday, the majority of club members voted against the contract with Germany’s largest arms manufacturer at the club’s annual general meeting. However, the vote is not binding on the management of the Bundesliga soccer club.

The partnership between Borussia Dortmund and Rheinmetall includes the use of high-reach advertising space, marketing rights, and event and hospitality offerings in the stadium and on the club grounds. After the deal was announced, there was criticism from pacifists, human rights organizations, and some fans.

Rheinmetall is Germany’s largest arms manufacturer, which is experiencing strong growth against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the general arms boom.