Schalke fans attempt to replace chairman

Furious fans of Champions League quarter-finalists Schalke 04 are attempting to force out chairman Clemens Toennies and change the German club’s board.

Coach Felix Magath’s future hangs in the balance after last week’s reports in the German media claiming he is set to be fired, which the club have yet to deny.

The Royal Blues dismissed their press officer yesterday and fans are furious with the way the club is being run.

According to the club’s constitution, an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) must be called if 10 per cent of the club’s members write to request one, meaning 9,300 signatures are needed.

Schalke fans had collected 1,100 signatures by midday yesterday and were hoping to reach the necessary figure during the afternoon’s Bundesliga match at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

They have invited Magath, who has also guided them to the German Cup final beating holders Bayern Munich in the semi-final, to a meeting today to clarify the situation.

Royal Blues’ supporters were also planning to launch protests at their Veltins Arena ground, the home of the Gelsenkirchen-based club.

Schalke, who reached the last eight of the Champions League with an impressive win over Valencia on Wednesday, sit in 10th place in the Bundesliga.