Philippe Auclair has written an insightful piece on the Guardian’s website this morning detailing both the moral and revenue concerns for Fulham – and four other Premier League clubs – following the exit of TGP Europe from the British market last month.
Auclair, whose investigative journalism with Josimar Football has uncovered some of the underhand elements involved in the global game, makes a powerful case for the global game dealing once and for all with the ‘toxic relationship with illegal betting operators.’ Fulham will be seeking another sponsor next season – and with betting companies by banned from Premier League sponsorship in the near future – it would be heartening to see the club’s board look in a new direction. But the way Fulham have put profit over principles recently, I wouldn’t be holding my breath.
To put it into perspective, there are Prem clubs owned by regimes which sponsor terrorism and have poor human rights records. Personally, I find that far more morally questionable than sponsorship by a betting company.
Of course the Prem won’t do anything about those clubs but it is moving to prevent betting companies sponsoring clubs.
Sums the Prem up for me, it’ll turn a blind eye when enough dollars are involved and it helps promote ‘the product’.
Typical Guardian ‘won’t somebody think of the children’ handwringing over a minor issue.
good point, well made 🙂
Great article Chloe – and post by Franco. Some of us (and I actually hope it is a lot) do care about these issues. It just goes to show that once the great god Wonga gets involved…
COYW!!!