Betting company branding on the shirts of Spanish football clubs could be banned under proposals currently before the European Union.
According to Spain’s El Pais newspaper, the country’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Alberto Garzón, is today presenting a draft of new regulations on the ‘commercial communications of gambling activities’ to the European Commission.
The newspaper understands that regulations include the prohibition of sponsorships on sports uniforms and equipment and in the naming of teams and stadiums.
The proposals would also limit the advertising of bookmakers on television, radio and digital platforms to the hours of one to five o’clock in the morning.
The proposed law has been toughened up since February when a first draft, which allowed the advertisement of betting brands on adult football shirts, was criticised by lobbying groups and other civil society organisations.
El Pais reports that if the European Commission and the Council of State give the plans the green light, the new laws could be approved for the start of the 2020-21 season.
Currently, eight LaLiga clubs have betting company logos on their shirts: Valencia, Alavés, Leganés, Granada, Mallorca, Sevilla, Osasuna and Levante.
