Legendary German club could lose its professional status

Schalke from Gelsenkirchen, currently competing in the Bundesliga 2, is at risk of losing its professional status.

According to Sky Germany, in the event of relegation to the third division, Schalke will be unable to pass the certification process by the German Football League (DFL) due to substantial debts amounting to 165 million euros. In such a scenario, Schalke would be compelled to descend to the fourth division, which is already considered an amateur level.

After 19 rounds, Schalke holds the 15th position in the Bundesliga 2. The team is ahead of Hansa Rostock and Eintracht Braunschweig, currently in the relegation zone, only based on a superior goal difference.

As recently as the 2018/19 season, Schalke participated in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Until 2023, the club had played in the Bundesliga for 30 consecutive years.

Schalke has been crowned German champions 7 times throughout its history, and in the 1996/97 season, it secured the UEFA Cup.