Dortmund withdraw ex-Chancellor Schröder's honorary membership

Borussia Dortmund have withdrawn honorary club membership from former Germany Chancellor Gerhard Schröder due to his links to Russia, the Bundesliga side said Wednesday, reported dpa.

This is due to the 77-year-old's unwillingness to resign from his management positions with Russian state-owned energy companies following the invasion of Ukraine.

Dortmund said that club president Reinhard Rauball informed Schröder personally about the unanimous decision made by the board.

Schröder is known as a fan of second division side Hanover, who say he can continue to visit their stadium.

"He has a lounge with some friends, of course he can continue to use it because he pays for his places," Hanover boss Martin Kind told sport1.de. "Gerhard Schröder is not a topic for us right now."