Kieran Maguire: Top officials ‘not happy’ after behind-the-scenes Man City controversy
Top officials at Premier League broadcasting firms are “not happy” with Man City partner Marathonbet after their corporate faux pas.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the betting company’s social media blunder on 11 December.
Marathonbet posted fan footage via Twitter of Raheem Sterling’s decisive penalty during City’s 1-0 victory over Wolves.
The quickly-deleted post violated copyright law and the Daily Mail reported last Friday (17 December) that City chastised their partner for the breach.
Marathonbet, who also sponsor the club’s training wear, have been City’s official betting partner since 2019.
Maguire claims that Sky, BT Sport and Amazon’s ire will be directed at the UK-based company and not at the reigning Premier League champions.
“I can’t see it being a big problem,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Marathonbet have had an awful lot of exposure through their tie-in with City.
“City have done the right thing and, importantly, they need to be seen to be doing the right.
“The broadcast partners are not happy because they have paid for the rights and this is a breach.
“But his is very much a corporate response to a transgression not by the club but by the sponsor.”
City’s commercial department faced scrutiny recently following the collapse of their deal with cryptocurrency start-up 3Key.
The club was accused of failing to do its due diligence as the mysterious firm had a near-total lack of digital footprint.
In other news, pundit suggest “idiot” Jack Grealish on “last warning” at Man City after Pep Guardiola decision.