Betting Sponsors To Be Banned From Football Shirts in Great Britain?
Sep 7, 2017, by Chris
Great Britain political party Labour wants to ban betting firms from sponsoring football shirts. Gambling on football was worth a record £1.4bn to bookmakers over a 12-month period, while figures of the Gambling Commission indicated a rise in the number of problem gamblers to 430,000.
Last month, the FA ended a £4 million a year contract with Ladbrokes as part of plans to end sponsorship deals with betting firms. The Labour Party was most recently in government from 1997 to 2010.
Labour Wants to Ban Betting Sponsors From Football Shirt
Football clubs would be banned from signing shirt sponsorship deals with betting companies under a Labour government, as the party pledges to tackle a "hidden epidemic" of addiction and protect children from early exposure to gambling. The new policy is reported to be the first of a series of proposals against gambling firms to put pressure on the government ahead of its own review of the industry.
"Football has to play its part in tackling Britain's hidden epidemic of gambling addiction," Labour deputy leader Watson said. "Shirt sponsorship sends out a message that football clubs don't take problem gambling among their own fans seriously enough. It puts gambling brands in front of fans of all ages, not just at matches but on broadcasts and highlights packages on both commercial television and the BBC."
Nine of the 20 Premier League football clubs have shirt sponsorship deals with gambling companies, worth £47.3m this season alone. 16 further clubs in England's second and third tiers have similar deals.
"Shirt sponsorship sends out a message that football clubs don't take problem gambling among their own fans seriously enough," he said. It puts gambling brands in front of fans of all ages, not just at matches but on broadcasts and highlights packages on both commercial television and the BBC."
Labour said rules banning gambling adverts on under-18s teams' shirts should be extended to all sides under the Football Association's remit. Watson also drew a comparison with laws passed in 2005 to stop cigarette firms sponsoring sport.
"Just as tobacco companies were banned from sponsoring sporting events and putting their logos on branded goods because of the harm smoking can cause," he said, "it's right that we recognise the harm problem gambling does and take gambling logos off football shirts."
Should betting sponsors be banned from football shirts? Let us know in the comments below.
Hummel Halifax Wanderers 1991 Nova Scotia Clippers Retro Kit Released
Halifax Wanderers FC and kit supplier Hummel have unveiled a special limited-edition retro kit paying tribute to the 1991 Nova Scotia Clippers, the first professional soccer team in the province of Nova Scotia.
The jersey captures the unmistakable look of the early 1990s, when the Clippers competed in the Canadian Soccer League. Styled in a vibrant emerald green base, the shirt is adorned with an all-over chevron jacquard pattern, complemented by a thick white crossover V-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs. Completing the throwback design is the original Nova Scotia Clippers emblem on the chest alongside Hummel's logo, paired with local brewery Alexander Keith's and its signature stag crest across the front.
Supporters looking to pick up the nostalgic shirt will have to act quickly. The Hummel Halifax Wanderers Nova Scotia Clippers retro kit is scheduled to be sold exclusively in-person at Wanderers Grounds during the club's home match against Inter Toronto on September 20.
Puma Bahia 26-27 Third Kit Released
Puma and Brazilian side Esporte Clube Bahia have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 campaign. Built around the theme "O Brasil sempre esteve aqui" (Brazil was always here), the jersey was developed in direct collaboration with FINPAT, the Indigenous Federation of the Pataxó and Tupinambá Nations of Far Southern Bahia, placing indigenous heritage and voices at the forefront of the design and release.
The Puma EC Bahia 26-27 third shirt combines a deep blue base with a tonal geometric pattern on the front inspired by traditional Pataxó necklaces. Gold detailing accents the V-neck collar, side panels, Puma cat logos, and a monochromatic Bahia crest. The contrasting shades carry symbolic meaning: blue represents the ocean and waters that are central to the Pataxó people, while gold references Tawá (yellow clay) and the ancestral riches of the land.
A special graphic sign-off reading "O Brasil sempre esteve aqui" is printed in gold on the upper back just below the collar. The kit is set to make its on-pitch debut in the Campeonato Brasileiro fixture against Remo at Arena Fonte Nova.
Bahrain 2026 Home Kit Released - First Ever by Adidas
The Bahrain national football team has officially revealed its new home kit for 2026, marking the nation's first-ever partnership with Adidas after parting ways with Puma.
The new Bahrain 2026 primary jersey is based on the standard Adidas Tiro 26 Competition template, with only the crest added.
It arrives in traditional vibrant red, accented by white detailing on the ribbed collar, lower hem trim, and the iconic Three Stripes running down the shoulders. A textured performance fabric carries the modern Bahrain FA crest on the left chest and the white Adidas logo on the right, while the reverse side features 'البحرين' in Arabic script situated directly above bold white 'BAHRAIN' block lettering. Set to make its on-pitch debut at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, the shirt was unveiled alongside traditional Bahraini textile and weaving loom motifs celebrating the country's craft heritage.
Santos 26-27 Third Kit Released
Santos FC and Umbro have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Taking inspiration from the iconic 1997 campaign, the new jersey pays tribute to a defining era in Peixe history while celebrating the unwavering resilience, spirit, and dedication of the club's fanbase.
The Umbro Santos 2026-27 third shirt is black and features a subtle jacquard weave alternating between matte and glossy finishes across the fabric. A 1997-inspired retro collar incorporates white trim with striped detailing, complemented by white piping along the raglan shoulder seams. The chest displays an updated rendition of the 1997 club crest alongside Umbro's classic double diamond branding.
Completing the bespoke design are dedicated details paying homage to the supporters, notably the phrase "Resiliência e determinação" on the back of the neck and a lower hem tag inscribed with the popular terrace chant "Vai com determinação". Set to be worn with matching black shorts and black socks, the kit makes its official match debut against Cruzeiro at the Vila Belmiro.
FC Utrecht 26-27 Third Kit Released
Castore and FC Utrecht have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. To mark the unveiling, the Dutch outfit teamed up with local Utrecht graffiti artists, who created a custom mural on an urban brick canvas to emphasize the club's deep roots and street culture within the city.
The Castore FC Utrecht 26-27 third jersey delivers a clean look centered around a white base. Vibrant royal blue and bright orange accents bring life to the design, detailing the v-neck collar, sleeve cuffs, and side panels. A monochrome orange rendition of the club crest sits on the chest alongside the Castore logo, with sponsor lettering finished in bold blue.
White shorts and white socks with matching blue and orange trim complete the kit. The new third uniform is scheduled to make its on-pitch debut on September 13 in Utrecht's Eredivisie away fixture against Excelsior, and is now available through the club's official online store.
Real Valladolid 26-27 Third Kit Released
Real Valladolid and new technical partner Reebok have officially unveiled the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. Completing the team's wardrobe alongside their recently debuted home and away strips, the fresh look departs from traditional purple in favor of an elegant white and soft pink colorway.
The Reebok Real Valladolid 26-27 third jersey is predominantly white, complemented by pastel pink on the classic collar, sleeve cuffs, side panels, and manufacturer branding. The graphics embedded along the panels feature subtle wave and ripple patterns inspired by the numerous rivers running through the province of Valladolid, such as the Pisuerga and Duero. Furthermore, the prominent pink hue pays tribute to the Vallkirias dragon boat team, honoring their inspiring message of recovery and solidarity with breast cancer survivors.
Adidas Messi Special-Edition Argentina Kit Leaked - 2 New Images
We have new images of the special-edition Adidas Lionel Messi Argentina kit, showing the design produced with authentic Climacool+ specifications. However, the jersey in the pictures is a counterfeit. Fakers have moved quickly to manufacture physical shirts that replicate Adidas' latest top-tier player-issue template based on earlier replica/fan leaks of the signature design. Following Messi's international retirement after the 2026 World Cup, it remains to be seen what Adidas will ultimately do with the official rollout of the special-edition Messi kit and accompanying collection, and if it will be available as authentic and worn in a match.
Barcelona Stars Wear Adidas Fall 2026 Boots Pack
Several Barcelona stars, including Yamal, Gordon, Olmo and Koundé, have been spotted wearing the Adidas Main Pack 4 ahead of its official launch later this September.
