Arsenal told to terminate £10m deal – boardroom source reacts
Arsenal have been partners with Visit Rwanda since 2018 with a £10million per season sleeve sponsorship deal currently in place.
As per the BBC (2 February) The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain to end their association with Rwanda amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in their country.
UN experts claim the Rwandan army is in “de facto control of M23” – a rebel group who have captured Goma, one of the largest cities in DR Congo.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs and their boards – has had his say on Arsenal potentially cancelling the deal.
Arsenal told to cancel Visit Rwanda deal
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted he is an advocate of not mixing politics and sport.
He claimed sponsorship deals should not be “governed by the the political events of the day” and hoped the deal could “strengthen ties with Africa”.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s always difficult with sport and politics.
“I’m a big advocate of having no politics in sport, if possible.
“This sponsorship has been in place for a number of years and it’s been consistent.
“I don’t know the benefits for Rwanda or Arsenal, apart from the obvious monetary ones.
“But there is something about encouraging partnerships with Africa, so it isn’t an entirely negative story.
“I don’t think we should start governing sponsorships just by political events of the day, we’ve got to be beyond that.
“In this case, I’d hope there’s a bigger view and a strengthening of ties with Africa rather than anything else.
“It’s worth about £10million per season to Arsenal.”
Arsenal confident of agreeing two summer transfers
On the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s side are confident of agreeing another summer deal – with negotiations already advanced for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.
Football Insider revealed on 10 February that Arsenal expect to finally land Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in the off-season.
The Gunners tried to sign Garcia last summer (2024) but instead agreed a loan for Neto – and they will not pursue a permanent move for the Bournemouth star in the summer.