Aston Villa insider fumes at the Premier League amid fresh controversy
Bryan King has slammed the Premier League’s “ridiculous” rules on betting sponsorships amid fresh Aston Villa controversy.
The ex-Villa scout thinks the shirts worn by players should be the shirts sold to supporters.
As reported by the Mirror (22 October), new rules introduced by the Premier League in July aimed at tightening restrictions around gambling sponsorship in football mean any club that emblazons a gambling sponsor must offer a sponsor-free replica shirt to its supporters.
However, Villa are one of six clubs in England’s top flight who do not currently adhere to this. When contacted by Mirror Football, the Premier League refused to comment.
And King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – isn’t a fan of the new rules introduced by the Premier League.
“If that’s the shirt they played in during that season, then that’s the shirt,” King said.
“The UEFA Champions League have bet365 as one of their main sponsors. These rules are ridiculous. How come a betting company is sponsoring the Champions League, but now the Premier League don’t want these companies on the front of shirts?
“All of a sudden, the Premier League say that teams, who will be receiving big sums of money here by the way, can’t have these companies as sponsors. It is ridiculous, of course they should sell the shirt, if that is the shirt with the sponsorship on it from that season, that shirt should be made available.
“Have they got nothing better to do in the Premier League? They ought to get VAR right, and the refereeing situation right.”
Aston Villa involved in fresh controversy as Premier League refuse to comment
It seems as though the Premier League need to offer some clarity and get a grip on their new rules.
If Premier League clubs still have betting sponsors on the front of their shirts, it does seem odd that replica shirts wouldn’t match those worn by the players.
Therefore, betting sponsorship either needs to be removed entirely or not at all. However, it is understandable that it will take time to phase these sponsors out of English football, with clubs agreeing on big-money contracts which might be expensive to break.
Nonetheless, if Villa are in breach of any rules, they can’t have much complaint should they be punished, even if they don’t necessarily agree with the rule in place.
In other Aston Villa news, the club would welcome Marcus Rashford in January.
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