AEK Athens Kit Features UEFA Respect Logo In Champions League Clash - Here Is Why

If you watched yesterday's UEFA Champions League match between Ajax Amsterdam and AEK Athens, you might have wondered why AEK Athens' kit featured the UEFA Respect logo on the front? Here is the explanation.

Betting Sponsors Not Allowed in The Netherlands

The reason for AEK Athens' kit to feature not their usual sponsor is quite simple. AEK Athens' regular sponsor Stoiximan.gr is a betting company, and betting sponsors are not allowed in the Netherlands. But why was AEK Athens' kit not sponsorless as teams like Real Madrid have done in the past?

AEK Athens decided to use the UEFA Respect logo instead of leaving their kit plain. UEFA's equipment regulations allow clubs to replace their sponsor with a UEFA-endorsed program such as UEFA Respect. This is regulated in paragraph 07 of article 55 in UEFA's Equipment Regulations.

In their match away against Hungarian club Vidi FC, AEK Athens' kit featured the logo of SOS Children's Vilage.

AEK Athens will use their regular sponsor in their next Champions League match at home against Benfica.

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