Six English Premier League teams are facing repercussions for failing to adhere to new regulations that mandate the availability of adult replica jerseys without a gambling sponsor logo on the front. The new rules came into effect in July across the upper echelons of professional soccer in England, also extending to children’s apparel.
The investigation conducted by Pitch Inspection revealed that Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Everton, Brentford, and Aston Villa were not offering such jerseys for sale. On the other hand, five other EPL teams with similar front-of-shirt sponsors were found to be compliant with the updated regulations: Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham, and Wolves.
In September, ten clubs were found to be in violation of the new rules when they continued to display gambling sponsors on jerseys during under-18 matches and in certain European competitions where such logos were prohibited. Despite the impending ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsors set to be implemented ahead of the 2026-2027 season, these sponsors remain lucrative for clubs.
Some of the operators involved are questionable Asia-focused brands that have come under scrutiny for allegedly providing illegal gambling services. This includes reports of partnerships between Crystal Palace and Wolves with illicit Vietnamese sportsbooks.
Overall, the failure of certain EPL teams to comply with the new regulations regarding gambling sponsor logos on replica jerseys highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the football industry in balancing financial interests with ethical considerations. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how clubs and regulatory bodies will navigate this complex issue in the future.