Borussia Dortmund fans protest against club's new sponsorship deal with German arms manufacturer in Champions League final as Gary Lineker voices opposition

Borussia Dortmund fans have protested against the club's controversial sponsorship deal with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

The club announced a three-year deal this week with the company's logo displayed on Dortmund merchandise ahead of the Champions League final.

The brand will also be placed on billboards around the club's Signal Iduna Park stadium and at press conferences – but will not appear on shirts.

It was the first time a Bundesliga team had entered into a sponsorship with a German defense company and the move had angered the club's loyal fans.

Thousands of Dortmund supporters secured seats at Wembley for their team's clash against Real Madrid and chose to take a stand against the deal.

Two large banners were displayed in front of one of the stands at Wembley and featured two joint messages written in German and English.

The eye-catching sign read: “Rheinmetall: using football to create a cleaner image? Protect the BVB [Dortmund] sportswashing is our mission!'

Rheinmetall is based in Düsseldorf – a city 70 km from Dortmund – and is considered the largest munitions manufacturer in Europe.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Dortmund, said: “Security and defense are the cornerstones of our democracy. Especially today, when we see every day how freedom must be defended in Europe. We should face this new (normal).

Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said the company, worth almost 4 billion euros, shares “similar attitudes, ambitions and origins” to Dortmund.

Dortmund's official supporters group confirmed they held talks with the club before the announcement and expressed their opposition to the sponsorship.

The German Peace Society, a peace group led by Dortmund supporter Michael Schulze von Glasser, called on the club to end the deal.

“I am very shocked. I never imagined that the BVB would consider entering into a partnership with an arms company,” said Schulze von Glasser.

He added that he was offended both “as a Dortmund fan and a peace activist”.

Gary Lineker also expressed his disapproval and revealed that the deal led to his decision to support Real Madrid in the Champions League final.