Overview
- During the Feb. 7 home match against Dynamo Dresden, Schalke supporters in the Nordkurve displayed banners with explicit insults opposing a proposed honorary role for Clemens Tönnies.
- Clemens Tönnies dismissed the Ultras as a small, loud group and said he has not yet considered the Ehrenpräsidium request, urging focus on the promotion push.
- A group including Huub Stevens, Peter Neururer, former board members, and key sponsors condemned the banners in a letter to club leaders, warning of reputational harm and indicating possible legal action.
- Schalke issued a statement affirming free expression but rejecting personal insults and media-aimed letters, calling for respectful debate and club unity.
- In a Feb. 11 interview, Stevens publicly defended Tönnies as unfairly targeted and urged the board to respond to the incident, while the dispute and potential sponsor or legal steps remain unresolved.