Three European football clubs cut ties with Fonbet

Russia-based Fonbet has had its partnerships suspended with top-flight football club AC Milan with immediate effect, a consequence of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The gambling company first became the official sports betting partner of AC Milan in Russia and the CIS region in 2021, and the suspension means that the brand will no longer be visible during home games in Serie A, or the Rossoneri website and mobile app.

Additionally, both Ligue 1’s PSG and La Liga’s Real Madrid have also cut ties with the Russian brand as the sport continues to show support for Ukraine. 

PSG first signed its deal with the brand in 2021, when Fonbet helped the team expand its regional following by offering increased odds for Paris Saint-Germain matches as well as ‘special promotions’.

It was around the same time that Real Madrid also inked a collaboration with the operator, which involved, similarly, an array of ‘unique promotions’ for its customers. 

The announcement means that Fonbet will no longer provide prize draws, bonuses, enhanced odds, ‘extended action line on the Royal Club games’ or events on its social media.

However, PSG has stated that it is still maintaining its youth academy in Moscow which hosts 500 children this season. The club operates 152 academies in 17 countries, whilst Barcelona, Juventus and Inter Milan have also left their Russian academies open.

Further in football, it has also been revealed that UK government sanctions against Roman Abramovich have prompted Parimatch Tech to limit its marketing arrangements with Chelsea FC.

The Russian billionaire and owner and former Director of the Premier League club was placed on a list of sanctioned business-people by British authorities due to his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime. 

A statement from the sports betting firm read: “Together with our licensed partner in Great Britain, we have agreed to use the LED display systems at Stamford Bridge exclusively for the promotion of our volunteering and donation activities to help Ukraine, which Chelsea FC are supportive of.”