BERLIN (AP) — German soccer club Borussia Dortmund’s new chief executive has defended its contentious sponsorship agreement with Rheinmetall, the country’s largest arms manufacturer.

Carsten Cramer, who took over from outgoing Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke last month, said Thursday he was 100% committed to the three-year deal announced by the club in May 2024 , and that he was “convinced it was the right decision” despite many Dortmund fans making their opposition to it clear.

“I do accept the criticism,” Cramer said. “It’s maybe a part of life that we do not need to agree 100% to everything the club is doing. But in certain times it is necessary to take responsibility, and in these dangerous times where the safety and security of our country is not protected by diplomatic relations

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