Mark Palios, former chief executive of the Football Association, has called on the sport to 'wean itself off' sponsorship deals with gambling companies, describing the links as having gone 'too far'. His comments follow a Daily Mail investigation revealing that the FA sold streaming rights for the FA Cup to seven betting websites, including Bet 365, which required customers to place a bet or pay into an account to watch matches.
Speaking to the BBC's File On 4 programme, Palios said: 'I think football has to wean itself off the position it is in at the moment... It's certainly gone too far.' He described gambling as 'pernicious' and a 'hidden addiction' that can lead to theft, relationship breakdowns, and damage to family units.
Palios, who is also chairman of Tranmere Rovers FC, said he rejected an approach from a major betting firm last year and would not accept gambling sponsorship at the club. His intervention comes after then-sports minister Nigel Adams condemned football's 'dependency' on gambling last month, warning that the issue would be part of a review of the Gambling Act.
Brigid Simmonds, chairman of the Betting and Gaming Council, acknowledged that 'there are areas for improvement' and said the council would consult on a new advertising code of practice. The EFL defended the relationship as 'responsible', while the Premier League said sponsorship deals were a matter for individual clubs. The FA noted it ended its partnership with Ladbrokes in June 2017.
