Bernd Thissen/dpa Borussia Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke wants to find consensus with all club members regarding a contested sponsorship deal with German arms company Rheinmetall. Of 855 members who voted on Sunday at the annual general ...

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has defended the club’s controversial sponsorship deal with Germany’s biggest arms manufacturer despite strong criticism from fans.

Borussia Dortmund members have voted with a big majority against a controversial sponsorship deal with arms manufacturer and technology company Rheinmetall. Of 855 participating members, 556 backed a motion at the general assembly to end the partnership as soon as possible and at the latest when the three-year deal expires.

Borussia Dortmund chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke on Monday called for a survey of the club's 218,000 members to gauge opinion on the controversial multi-million euro sponsorship deal with Germany's largest arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Borussia Dortmund's team received a warm welcome at the club's general assembly on Sunday after maintaining a 100% home record, before a vast majority of members voted against the club's controiversial sponsorship deal with arms makers Rheinnmetall.