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Post by rugbytoffee on Jul 5, 2022 15:56:44 GMT
The Premier League has asked member clubs to vote on a voluntary ban on gambling sponsorships for shirts ahead of expected government intervention.
A government-mandated ban could come as soon as July 21.
League officials are hopeful of accord on a proposal that would see the sponsorships phased out over three years. The idea was submitted to teams via email on Monday and a vote is expected to be held within the week. For the proposal to pass, at least 14 of the 20 Premier League teams would have to okay it.
The BBC reports that any potential ban would be for the top flight only with English Football League teams remaining unaffected.
Ten teams in the Premier League had shirts sponsored by betting firms during the 2021-2022 season.
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Post by rugbytoffee on Jul 7, 2022 18:13:35 GMT
Premier League clubs will delay their vote on a voluntary ban on gambling sponsorship until at least 26 July.
Clubs were asked for a decision this week after the Premier League wrote to them on Monday.
The league wanted an answer before potential government action, with a gambling white paper due.
But gambling minister Chris Philp resigned on Thursday morning, with clubs still having further questions about a shirt sponsorship ban.
Top-flight clubs will instead discuss the issue at a scheduled meeting on 26 July.
It is not confirmed whether a vote will take place that day.
But with parliament beginning its summer recess on 21 July and set to wait on the Premier League's vote, the planned white paper on gambling is unlikely to be published before then.
That will be a setback for campaigners who have waited months for a decision on gambling act reform, which has been the subject of many delays.
Half of last season's 20 Premier League teams had gambling sponsors on their shirts.
Fourteen would need to vote in favour of a voluntary ban for it to be taken on.
Government sources suggest that a ban was still on the table, but it is understood that discussions took place with a view to a voluntary ban averting legislation.
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Philp said: "I strongly urge you to deliver the review in full and undiluted."
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Post by rugbytoffee on Jul 8, 2022 18:56:44 GMT
Everton will be in the sights of the Premier League when it comes to their front of shirt sponsorship with officials wanting to introduce a 'voluntary ban' on gambling partners. Sky News reported on Monday that the Premier League were seeking backing from their 20 member clubs to ban betting companies taking prominent front of shirt sponsorship ahead of the publication of a Government white paper on gambling reform. Everton are currently one of seven Premier League sides that have their main shirt sponsorship with a gambling firm, the Toffees signing a multi-year 'club record' deal with online casino Stake.com last month. The deal with Stake.com came two-and-a-half-years on from Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale's pre-pandemic comments at a club AGM that stated that, following the ending of a partnership with betting site SportPesa as a main shirt sponsor, the club would not 'in an ideal world' enter into any further deals with gambling companies for their shirt sponsorship. But a pandemic and curbs issues over Everton sailing close to the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations have seen the club forced into a step change and the deal with Stake.com offered the best financial package for the club at a time when they were also being threatened with relegation and the possibility of having to sell heavily discounted shirt sponsorship had they gone down to the Championship. An online petition from Blues fan Ben Melvin urging the club to abandon the deal has achieved more than 30,000 signatories since its launch. Under the Premier League's plans they want to see all 20 of their member clubs having abandoned front of shirt betting sponsorship within the next three years. The League was seeking support from clubs in an attempt to head off potential legislation from Government and an outright ban. Under the proposal, a voluntary ban would come into effect at the start of the coming season but would allow existing deals to run their course, providing they expired no later than the 2024/25 campaign. Perimeter advertising around stadiums would still be permitted. Premier League rules mean that approval from at least 14 clubs is required for a vote to be approved. But the planned vote has been pushed back due to the political crisis that has enveloped Westminster in recent days, with a slew of MP resignations culminating in Prime Minister Boris Johnson being forced to resign as Conservative Party leader and, eventually, Prime Minister. While the proposals are likely to be discussed at the next Premier League shareholder meeting on July 26 a delay in the publishing of the Government's white paper on the gambling industry has arisen due to Chris Philp, the gambling minister, having resigned from his position earlier this week. His report had been due in a matter of weeks. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport |
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