FIFA reiterated a rule on August 1 restricting betting house ads on referee shirts. The rule also applies to the VAR booth and the review area where the pitchside monitor is located. In Brazil, the CBF displays sponsor brands for its championships in areas connected to VAR. This includes the totem supporting the match-checking monitor. The branding is due to naming rights.
Recently, Brasileirão matches still followed this format. With the announcement of FIFA, the organization will need to adapt. For example, the Série A and Copa do Brasil have Betano, a sports betting website, as their main partner. Betano lends its name to both competitions.
The FIFA document highlights paragraphs 1 to 4 of Article 15 of the 2020 “FIFA Regulations on the Organization of Refereeing in Member Associations. The regulations permit advertising on refereeing-related assets, such as the back of referees’ shirts, the booth, and the VAR review area, but impose restrictions:
The regulations state that all advertising for products related to tobacco, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or gambling establishments (casinos or betting companies) is strictly prohibited. Any slogans of a political, racist, or religious nature are also prohibited.
According to FIFA, the ban also covers any banners or graphic elements shown on television during a VAR review.
FIFA stated that referees play a central role in protecting the integrity and impartiality of football. They are essential to the game. The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) system is a crucial support tool. The VOR (Video Operation Room) and the RRA (Referee Review Area) are also essential. These systems help referees make accurate and fair decisions, benefiting the game worldwide.
As of today, bookmakers are the main sponsors of Brazilian football. Among the 20 Serie A clubs, only Red Bull Bragantino and Mirassol choose not to have a bookmaker as the main sponsor on the front center of their jerseys. They also avoid marketing other areas of the uniform to this sector.
