Melbourne Victory ditches sponsorship hours before AFC game
Australian soccer team Melbourne Victory changed into its away kit ahead of its AFC Champions League match against Daegu, because of its shirt sponsor’s link to gambling.
The Australian team announced its front of shirt sponsorship with Hong Kong media agency Kaishi Entertainment on Tuesday morning..
Kaishi’s General Manager Yi Jing Chen was spotted in a photo promoting Kashbet’s partnership with the German Bundesliga’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Partnering with gambling companies is forbidden by the AFC, and after announcing the deal, Victory then opted to remove the sponsor’s name from its new Champions League navy strip.
The team changed into its away shirt with just numbers on the back.
A spokesperson from Melbourne Victory said: “It is important to note that Melbourne Victory has not and would not actively enter into an agreement with a company in the gambling industry.
“The club respects and adheres to AFC apparel requirements and the brand and integrity of our existing partners.”
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