This post first appeared on RTL and ntv.

It should be the way to a new and better sponsorship future for Schalke 04. Now the negotiations between Schalke 04 and the young company Hydrogen Deutschland GmbH have apparently failed. Research by RTL and ntv had raised numerous questions for the company and its managing directors.

As reported by Sky reporter Dirk Große Schlarmann, Schalke surprisingly rejected the planned three-year contract. According to Schlarmann, the company's structure is not yet adequate.

Just yesterday, RTL and ntv reported on Russian CEO Denis K.'s connections to the influential oligarch Oleg Boyko, who is considered a supporter of Vladimir Putin and was sanctioned by Canada and Australia in the course of the war of aggression against Ukraine.

There are also results of research on a second Russian managing director Evgeny S. His name appears in connection with Maltese shell companies that became public knowledge in the course of the so-called Paradise Papers. When asked, Denis K. currently denies having contact with Oleg Boyko and Evgeny S. states that he does not own any shell companies in Malta.

However, Hydrogen Deutschland GmbH was unable to explain to RTL and ntv exactly from which sources the total of 550 million euros that the company claims to have come from.

Schalke 04 did not want to comment on our research when asked. Apparently he is now reacting by ending the negotiations.

Take a look back at the 32nd match day in our photo series: Rarely has it been so exciting at the end of the season: For half of the Bundesliga teams there was still something at stake. Of course Bayern became champion again and of course BVB remains the eternal number two.