Chelsea are still yet to announce their new front of shirt sponsors for next season, with Three UK’s contract having ran out at the end of this season.
We had been seeing strong rumours that it could be Allianz who becomes the next Chelsea shirt sponsors, but that one looks to have fizzled out.
And then at the end of last week, there was a fresh story that came out from The Telegraph suggesting that Chelsea are about to strike a deal with betting company Stake, which of course presented a very controversial situation.
Chelsea have done, and still do, a lot of community work off the field and have even ran campaigns against gambling addictions. So of course, this move was presented with backlash from many Chelsea fans.
Former Blues captain Frank Leboeuf has now had his say on the matter, and to be honest, I don’t see how anyone can argue with his standpoint here.
EXCL: Caicedo good Enzo partner, I really want Andre Onana at Chelsea, Stake as sponsors? Players joining rivals? Story of when I joined Chelsea, and more…
Former Chelsea captain Frank Leboeuf with his latest column here:https://t.co/eu8GXvVKbm pic.twitter.com/WkhIooZCL2
— Chelsea-News (@ChelseaNewsCo_) June 16, 2023
Speaking in his exclusive and extensive Chelsea FC column for Si & Dan Talk Chelsea this week, the former defender said: “My problem with Stake being our sponsors if it happens, is you cannot promote something that you’ve been critical about recently and even went in to a campaign to fight against it, just to be accepting the money from them.
“It’s like me, I work for PETA and try to save animals – like if I did some advertising for them last season and then go to the shop today and buy some animal fur – it’s like that. So that’s what I feel about that. I understand why the fans are upset about it. You have to stick to your principles, don’t just do it for money.”
Totally agree with LeBoeuf. It’s not a good look for any club to be promoting gambling in such a high profile manner. I thought the Premier League was in the midst of banning gambling-related jersey sponsorships, but, whatever the case, I for one won’t be wearing any gear that features a gambling sponsor (should the deal go through).
Just checked and it looks like a ban was approved, but won’t go into effect until the 26/27 season.