It is a blow to the Kenyan betting firm SportPesa as the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) decided to terminate a sponsorship deal in under one year.
Despite their financial crisis, FAI went ahead to terminate the Sportpesa deal that was signed in March 2019.
Irish Government Grants FAI Over Ksh 2.2 Billion
Ireland government bailed FAI financially through a resolution to pump €20 million (about Ksh 2.2 billion)
The termination of the deal follows up from the massive push by gambling addiction groups for signing up to work with a gambling company.
Before stepping down as the Chief Executive Officer of Football Association of Ireland FAI, John Delaney had promised the Irish that the deal with Sportpesa would be last ever with any betting sponsor.
Match Fixing Allegations and Players Betting Soured the Sportpesa Deal
The recent match fixing allegations involving Ireland players is among the reasons the FAI terminated the Sportpesa deal.
It’s not the first time for FAI to terminate a deal with a betting sponsor.
Three years ago, FAI ended a sponsorship deal with Ladbrokes after league players were intercepted while betting on the matches.
It is alleged that Sportpesa pleaded with FAI not to publicise the termination contract.
However, on there side, Sportpesa spokesperson said, “we had a successful partnership with FAI, but we accept and respect their change in priorities.”
The Irish government’s support to FAI includes increasing the grant from €2.9 (Ksh 323 million) to €5.9 million (Ksh 657 million) through to 2023.