Tranmere Rovers Offered Gambling Deal Despite The Big Step Partnership
Tranmere Rovers have revealed they were offered a four-figure sum from a gambling company. This approach was made despite the League Two club’s anti-gambling stance and having signed up to The Big Step initiative, which aims to end gambling deals by football clubs.
League Two Club Offered Money from Gambling Company © Pixabay.
Tranmere Rovers has revealed that a gambling operator offered a four-figure sum to display the company’s branding at Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle United.
The club’s chairman Mark Palios said the unnamed company wanted to place pitch-side advertising during the game, which was televised live on Skysports. Palios revealed he was approached even though the League Two club was one of the first football teams to support The Big Step, which wants to see an end to gambling companies sponsoring football clubs.
Speaking to a local newspaper, the Wirral Globe, Palios said: “A televised cup match against a Premier League team is always a big event for our club. It’s an opportunity to engage youngsters and let them see elite level stars, not a platform for promoting gambling.”
Palios’ decision to refuse the money offered was lauded by anti-gambling campaigners who have long called for an end to gambling operators’ involvement with football clubs.
A spokesperson for Gambling with Lives said: “This is such a commendable stance that should be applauded by all. During a cost-of-living crisis, the club has reduced ticket prices for this prestigious cup tie and, more importantly for us, said no to quick and easy gambling money. That is the definition of a community football club.”
Football clubs are under increasing pressure from their own fans and also campaigners who want to see an end to the “easy money” that clubs can earn by partnering with gambling operators. In the Premier League, the top-flight of English football, 40% of teams have a front-of-shirt sponsor with operators. One of these teams is Newcastle United, who beat Tranmere 2-1 in the game on Wednesday.
Manchester United Deal With Betfred Angers Fans
In related news, Manchester United, one of the biggest names in football in the world, has angered fans by entering into a deal with Betfred for the bookmaker to become the club’s official betting partner.
Many supporters praised the club for recently turning down a sponsorship deal with Asian bookmaker HTH. However, they were later dismayed to hear the unpopular owners had agreed to a £4m deal with United fan Fred Done.
Before Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 on Monday night, thousands of United fans demonstrated against the Glazer family, who burdened the club with debt with their leveraged takeover in 2005. After the news broke, many fans directed their anger onto Betfred owner Fred Done, a Manchester United fan.
One wrote on Twitter: @Betfred disgusted you are funding the Glazer Family, and I thought Fred Done was a Man Utd supporter obviously not! Wont be getting my custom anymore #GlazersOut #BoycottBetFred We want our club back $MANU @NYSE @WSJ
While The Big Step wrote: £ 4 million for @ManUtd to promote gambling in front of millions of young fans around the world, for context, that’s just over eight weeks of @Cristiano’s salary at the club.
The Premier League clubs are expected to vote on banning gambling companies from having front-of-shirt deals with gambling companies next month. However, player’s sleeve deals and official betting partnerships will not be affected.
