Antwerp Youngster Ilenikhena Wears 'Wrong' Shirt Scoring Historic Barcelona Goal - Here's Why
Antwerp yougster George Ilenikhena, who joined the club from Amiens in the summer, scored the winning goal against Barcelona on Wednesday. At 17 years, 3 months, and 28 days, he became the youngest French goal scorer in Champions League history.
He did so wearing a shirt with the 'wrong' sponsor, displaying 'Antwerp First' on the front of his rather than 'Bet First'. Antwerp have been alternating both versions of the shirt this season and did, for example, all wear the Antwerp First variant away to Barcelona, which can be explained by the ban of betting sponsors in Spain.
But at home, including against Barcelona, the majority of players did wear the proper shirt including the betting sponsor. But why did Ilenikhena not do so?
It turns out that Ilenikhena's jersey choice was not a mistake and instead is the consequence of a new law that went into effect earlier this year.
Effective July 1, 2023, advertising on TV, radio, classifieds, and video platforms is prohibited. Subsequently, from January 1, 2025, gambling advertising will be banned in football stadiums, allowing shirt sponsorship with sponsor logos only, without slogans and not on the front. The final phase, starting January 1, 2028, enforces a total ban on gambling advertising, including on shirts.
A key component of the bill is a ban of advertising to vulnerable groups which includes minors. Due to this, Ilenikhena and other Antwerp under-18s have been wearing the 'Antwerp First' jerseys all season, including in domestic competitions.
Are you in favor of banning betting sponsors? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below.
