Sources: Critical update as probe into controversial Aston Villa deal imminent
Aston Villa have no plans to voluntarily abandon their sponsorship deal with bookmaker despite a flurry of recent controversies, sources have told Football Insider.
Villa have already signed an as yet unannounced three-year deal with the Asian-facing platform axed by Norwich City for their use of sexist marketing material in 2021.
Front-of-shirt and sleeve deals have both been mooted, but Football Insider understands that BK8 will likely replace Cazoo on Villa’s shirts from the start of 2023-24.
News of the partnership was met with disdain by the Aston Villa Supporters’ Trust, who said that CEO Christian Purslow assured them earlier this season that Cazoo’s successor would not be sourced from the gambling sector.
The pressure on Villa intensified following an investigation published by the Daily Mail that linked BK8 with TGP, a shadowy gambling conglomerate with connections to 10 Premier League clubs.
Isle of Man-based TGP has in turn been found to be associated with Chinese billionaire Alvin Chau, who was recently jailed for 18 years for his involvement in organised crime and illicit gambling activity.
MPs are now asking the Premier League to conduct an internal investigation into the network’s commercial involvement with English football.
A Premier League-wide ban on the gambling industry’s involvement in front-of-shirt sponsorship is also imminent, although there will be a grace period to allow existing deals to expire.
Villa, however, were well aware of the inevitable backlash that their alliance with BK8 would cause and fully intend to ride out the media storm.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told this site last Monday (16 January) that Villa’s commercial department “are chasing the money rather than having any ethical or moral compass.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor “100 per cent sure” about Aston Villa sealing £3m Moussa Dembele deal as talks reported.