Bild Cover Up Russian Sponsor Gazprom
The current situation between Ukraine and Russia has been escalating rapidly in the past few days. Russian president Vladimir Putin recently declared two Ukrainian regions as independant and threatens to start a major war in Europe by stationing more than 100,000 troops near the border.
Bild Covers Up Gazprom
Major German newspaper and tabloid, Bild, recently made a massive symbolic statement on the issue. They have vowed to cover up any Russian government-owned sponsors in their online and newspaper images reporting on football games.
For example, Schalke's main sponsor Gazprom, a company with important ties to Germany, was covered up by Bild with a message reading: "Freiheit für die Ukraine" (Freedom for Ukraine).
Bild want to call out Russian state-owned companies such as Gazprom, who are indirectly helping fund the country's military invasion of Ukraine
Gazprom have been Schalke's main sponsor since 2007. They also have a long-running deal with UEFA, appearing prominently during Champions League nights.
Bild are saying 'enough is enough'. They want to call out Russian state-owned companies such as Gazprom, who are indirectly helping fund the country's military invasion of Ukraine.
The German tabloid want to see both UEFA and Schalke pull out of their Gazprom deals, as well as have the 2022 Champions League final relocated away from St. Petersburg. So far, neither of UEFA nor Schalke have put any pressure on Gazprom or Russia.
What do you think of this move by Bild? Do you agree with the measures they are taking to support Ukraine against Russia? Comment below.
Zulte Waregem Women 26-27 Away Kit Released
Belgian club SV Zulte Waregem and supplier Patrick have unveiled a bespoke 26-27 away kit created exclusively for the women's team. Marking the first time the women's side receives a completely independent design separate from the men's kit, the shirt features a light pink base paired with dark green raglan sleeves and trim. Subtle tonal floral illustrations run across the body, incorporating jasmine, alstroemeria, violet, and gladiolus inspired by player and youth academy drawings to represent friendship, trust, and strength, with dark green shorts and light pink socks rounding off the full strip.
Steven Bergwijn Shows Off Unreleased Nike Kobe Mercurial Boots
Al-Ittihad forward Steven Bergwijn has provided us with an in-hand image of his ike Kobe Mercurial football boots ahead of their official release. Reviving the celebrated Mambacurial look originally introduced on the 2013 Kobe 8, which itself drew inspiration from the Mercurial Vapor IX Fireberry, the special-edition boots feature a striking Hyper Pink, Electric Green, and Red Plum colorway. Scheduled to release as part of a crossover pack spanning both the Superfly 11 and Vapor 17 alongside the Kobe 8 Protro, the boots are slated to launch on September 19, 2026.
Exclusive: Special River Plate 125th Anniversary Pre-Match Shirt Leaked
We can leak a special Adidas pre-match top for Club Atlético River Plate has surfaced, revealing another piece created for the Argentine giant's 125th anniversary celebrations. The warm-up jersey forms part of Adidas' dedicated 26-27 commemorative range honoring the club's foundation in May 1901.
The shirt features a white torso covered in an all-over repeating vintage pattern made up from an old River crest, which reads "Club Atlético River Plate" in light grey. Vibrant red raglan sleeves provide a strong contrast, paired with a simple black round collar.
Blackout Brøndby IF 26-27 Pre-Match Shirt Released
Hummel and Danish Superliga side Brøndby IF have officially launched a sleek blackout pre-match shirt for the 26-27 season. Swapping out the club's traditional bright colors for an understated, stealthy look, the warm-up jersey is built around an all-black base detailed with a subtle tonal pattern throughout the fabric. Both the Brøndby IF crest and the Hummel chevrons blend tonally into the dark silhouette, while delicate yellow piping along the polo collar and sleeve cuffs provides the sole touch of contrast in reference to the club's iconic colors.