FIFA has issued a strong reminder to all member associations. Gambling sponsorship has no place on referee shirts or in areas related to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The announcement came through an official circular after FIFA detected breaches of the rules in several countries.
Integrity at the Core of the Ban
According to Goal 5 of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023–2027, gambling sponsorship is prohibited for match officials. This is due to its direct link to preserving the integrity and fairness of football. FIFA recently expanded the regulations to cover the VAR system. This includes the Video Operations Room (VOR) and the Referee Review Area (RRA). These areas have become crucial in assisting referees to make accurate and fair decisions.
While Article 15 allows sponsor logos on match officials’ shirts, it strictly forbids promotions for gambling establishments. It also bans logos for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and narcotics. For matches using VAR, advertising is permitted inside the VOR and on the RRA monitor stand. Yet, it must comply with the same strict sponsor rules.
Detailed Prohibitions
FIFA’s statement made it clear: any form of gambling promotion—whether from casinos, sportsbooks, or betting companies—is banned on referee uniforms. Also banned inside the VOR and within the RRA. This restriction extends to any banners or graphics that might appear on television during an On-Field Review (OFR). The same restrictions apply to political, racist, or religious slogans, as well as tobacco and alcohol advertising.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
The governing body also warned against sponsorship conflicts. If a match official’s sponsor overlaps with a competing team’s sponsor, that advertising must be removed from shirts, the RRA, and the VOR before the game. FIFA stressed that such measures are essential to prevent perceived bias and protect football’s credibility worldwide.
