FIFA warns gambling sponsorship not allowed for referee shirts or VAR rooms
The global football governing body sent a circular to member associations.
Switzerland.- FIFA has warned that gambling sponsorship is not permitted on referee shirts or VAR rooms. The global football governing body has sent a circular to member associations to remind them of the rules after after it noted breaches in some countries.
The organisation noted that Goal 5 of the Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 bans gambling sponsorship for referee shits due to their role in safeguarding the integrity and fairness of football. The regulations were updated to include video assistant referee (VAR) system, the video operation room (VOR) and the referee review area (RRA) due to their growing importance as support elements for match officials that enhance their ability to make accurate and fair decisions.
Paragraphs 1 and 4 of article 15 permit sponsor advertising for the shirts worn by match officials but bans all advertising for tobacco-related products, alcoholic beverages, narcotics or gambling establishments. As for matches utilising VAR, advertising is permitted inside the video operations room (VOR) and on the monitor stand in the referee review area (RRA), but this must follow the requirements listed in par. 1.”
“In view of the above, FIFA Member Associations are kindly reminded that in matches and competitions organised under their jurisdiction, any form of gambling advertising (including casinos or betting companies) is strictly forbidden on the shirts worn by match officials, in the VOR and the RRA,” FIFA said. “This prohibition also applies to any related banner that might appear on television during an On-Field Review (OFR), and to all other advertising involving tobacco related products, alcohol, narcotics and slogans of a political, racist or religious nature.”
It also noted that advertising for match officials is not permitted if it creates a conflict of interest with the advertising worn by either of the two participating teams through a shared sponsor. In the event of such a conflict, match officials must not wear advertising from the sponsor in question and any related advertising must also be removed from the RRA and/or the VOR prior to the match.
