The Premier League is asking clubs to support the removal of gambling company shirt sponsorships in a last-ditch effort to avert a government-imposed ban.
Sky News learned that the Premier League reached out to clubs on Monday to propose a solution that could make betting companies disappear from teams’ jerseys within the next three years.
Under the proposal, a voluntary ban would go into effect at the start of the new season, but would allow existing deals to run their way, as long as they expire before the 2024-25 campaign at the latest.
The contact with the top 20 clubs represents the Premier League’s most concerted effort to tackle an issue that has drawn intense political scrutiny in recent weeks.
Under Premier League rules, support for proposals from at least 14 clubs will be approved immediately.
A club executive said they were given just days to respond.
Sky News reported last weekend that the Premier League had suggested to the government that the branding on the sleeves should be allowed to continue indefinitely, although it was unclear if that idea was part of Monday’s communication. with clubs or not.
Another club executive said the Premier League had indicated the betting sponsorship ban was intended to be permanent, but it would be subject to a clause allowing it to be reversed with prior notice. two years in certain cases.
According to one of the proposed recipients, offsite advertising by game companies will continue to be allowed.
The issue is a sensitive one for English football’s top clubs as many of them have become dependent on revenue from the gambling sector.
Nearly half of all Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and West Ham, were sponsored by betting firms last season, although Magpies are likely to secure a replacement for Fun88 after next campaign. .
Other shirt sponsors from last season include SpreadEx Sport at West Ham, Hollywood Bet at Brentford and Sportsbet.io at Southampton.
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The Times reported last week that ministers had dropped a legislative plan to ban the names of betting groups from appearing on football shirts, and were instead seeking a voluntary agreement with the clubs.
The Premier League is said to have told clubs on Monday it believes it is incorrect and that the government will seek a legislative ban unless a voluntary agreement is reached.
A Whitehall source said there had been in-depth discussions in recent days about the terms of the voluntary agreement.
That suggests ministers would support a deal if approved by a club majority.
A football financial analyst suggests that the six major clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – would support a voluntary ban, as none of them have financial contracts. T-shirt support with gambling companies.
However, the Premier League’s proposal, if accepted, would anger anti-gambling campaigners, as it would not trigger an immediate and complete ban on the gambling industry withholding. present at stadia and on the jerseys of the most watched domestic soccer league in the world.
A broader package of gambling reform is expected to be published in the white paper in the coming weeks.
A DCMS spokesman declined to comment on the Premier League proposal but said last week: “We are conducting the most comprehensive review of gambling laws in 15 years to ensure they are in line with the times.” We will publish the White Paper as part of our review of gambling laws in the coming weeks.”
The Premier League declined to comment.
