The clash between FC Bale and Schalke 04 in the second day of the Champions League group matches faced an unexpected interruption in the 4th minute. The cause was a banner displayed by the NGO Greenpeace in the stands, bearing the message: “Gazprom, don’t foul the Arctic.”
The banner protest was directed towards Gazprom, a Russian joint-stock company and a sponsor of Schalke 04. Gazprom is widely recognized for its involvement in the extraction, processing, and transportation of natural gas, making it the leading operator and exporter of gas worldwide since 1954.
Greenpeace, an international environmental protection non-governmental organization, has frequently accused Gazprom of neglecting environmental standards in its operations.
Despite the interruption, Schalke managed to take the lead with a 1-0 score after halftime, courtesy of Julian Dresler. The match showcased not only on-field action but also drew attention to environmental concerns with the Greenpeace banner display.
