Ladbrokes, a top betting company based in the United Kingdom, has lost a major sponsorship deal with the Football Association (FA), which has announced the termination of its?four-year contract with Ladbrokes, with the company set to lose ￡4 million a year. The decision comes one year after a three-month review was commissioned by FA Chairman, Greg Clarke.
The FA was under great criticism for promoting gambling while trying to enforce a blanket ban on players of football from betting on matches around the globe. Just two months ago, Joey Barton, a top player in the Premier League, was banned for a period of 18 months after he reportedly admitted to breaking the player betting rules. Barton also had to pay a fine of ￡30,000 and was issued a warning?regarding his future conduct. Barton was reportedly found guilty of placing 1,260 wagers on football matches over a period?of 10 years.
Just recently, Barton questioned the FA’s ability as they need to look at their own dependence of gambling companies rather than blaming the players. In a recent statement, the FA said that during a May board meeting, it was agreed that the company would end all sponsorship’s with companies involved in sports betting starting with the end of the current season.
According to the FA, the decision was made after the three-month review of the group’s approach when comparing how they take betting sponsorships while still trying to be responsible for regulating sports betting within the rules. Because of this, the FA agreed that the partnership with Ladbrokes be terminated this month.
While sponsorship deals will be no more, the Football Association does have plans to continue to work with Ladbrokes and other betting companies as they share information on suspect betting patterns and help in regulating the game. Martin Glenn is the Chief Executive of the FA who thanked Ladbrokes for being a valued partner for the last year and for their professionalism as well as understanding about the change of policy involving gambling.