German club FC Schalke has confirmed that an investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found at their stadium. The 65-year-old man was found by a cleaning worker in a toilet at Vertins Arena on Thursday.
There are currently no signs of criminal involvement, but questions have been raised as to why no one noticed the man was missing until his body was discovered the next day. It is understood that the man was a local resident of Gelsenkirchen.
Schalke’s statement regarding the incident said: “FC Schalke 04 expressed deep regret on Thursday at the news that a deceased person was found in the toilet at the Veltins Arena. Schalke 04 expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.”
“The investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing and the club has made inquiries with the relevant law enforcement authorities. Schalke 04 will therefore not be releasing any further information at this time. The club is assisting the relevant authorities with their investigation in every possible way.”
Schalke currently leads German football’s second tier after being relegated from the Bundesliga in 2023. They have not played a home game since Sunday, April 19, when they won 4-1 against Prussia Munster.
They currently play Paderborn on Sunday and return to the Veltins Arena in a week’s time to face Düsseldorf. The German club has one home match left this season, with a match against Eintracht Braunschweig scheduled for the final day.
Schalke were previously based at the Parkstadion, but have occupied their current base since August 2001. The stadium’s capacity is currently 62,271. Four matches were held at the 2024 European Championship, including England vs. Serbia, Spain vs. Italy, and Georgia vs. Portugal in the group stage. England then returned to the Vertins Arena, where the Three Lions defeated Slovakia.
