The Premier League reportedly wants to crack down on sponsorships the clubs are negotiating with gambling companies. According to Sky Sports, the league is asking clubs to support phasing out shirt sponsorship with these businesses in a last-ditch action to prevent a government-imposed ban.
Under the recommendation, a voluntary ban would occur at the start of the new season but would allow current agreements to run their course, providing they expire no later than the 2024-25 season.
Nearly half of Premier League clubs had a sponsorship deal with a gambling company, and it’s a sensitive issue considering so many teams have become dependent on income from the gambling sector.
However, one football finance analyst indicated that the big six clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, would be anticipated to support a voluntary ban.
All six sides had existing shirt sponsorship deals with gambling establishments, so perhaps the Premier League hopes the other clubs would follow suit. Sky Sports adds that the league declined to comment on the matter.