The English Football Association (FA) has confirmed that it has ended all sponsorship with betting companies.
The decision comes after a three months review by the FA, and it has agreed to end all sponsorships with betting companies from the end of the 2016/17 season, despite an ongoing commercial relationship with Ladbrokes.
However, the company mutually agreed that its current partnership with the FA could be terminated this month.
Martin Glenn, chief executive of The FA said “We would like to thank Ladbrokes for both being a valued partner over the last year and for their professionalism and understanding about our change of policy around gambling.”
While responding, Jim Mullen, CEO of Ladbrokes Coral, said, “We understand the FA’s decision regarding their commercial partnerships on gambling.
“Football is a passion of ours, and our customers, and we remain committed to working with the FA to ensure the integrity and trust of the sport is maintained for the fans of the game and the millions of customers who enjoy betting on it week in and week out.”
Despite the announcement, which comes following a high profile gambling case involving Joey Barton, the FA and betting companies will continue to work together to share information on suspect betting patterns around games.
