Barcelona to vote on call to end $225m Qatar deal

Saturday, 24 September 2011 9:43 AM

A mannequin displays Barcelona's new football team jersey featuring the name of the club's new sponsor the Qatar Foundation in Barcelona. (AFP/Getty Images)

The board of European champions FC Barcelona will vote on Saturday whether to scrap the club's $225m sponsorship deal with Qatar Foundation.

Barcelona signed a five-and-a-half year shirt sponsorship deal with the non-profit organisation in December which relegated its UNICEF logo to the back of the shirt.

But the club's decision to collect money for the first time in its history to display a logo on its jerseys has prompted thousands of fans to sign a petition calling for the deal to be scrapped.

The fans' opposition has pressured Barcelona's board to re-think the deal at a meeting on Saturday.

Coach Pep Guardiola posted his support for Qatar in the run-up to the vote in comments posted on the club's website in which he extolled the Gulf state, calling it "the most open Muslim country".

Guardiola, who played for Qatar's Al Ahly between 2003 and 2005, added: “It’s very good that we debate this and also a very good decision of the board’s to let the members decide on it. It’s one of the healthy democratic values we have.

"I can tell you that I lived for two years in Qatar and my family and I received wonderful treatment."

He said: "Qatar is on a roll right now, with the World Cup going there, and their bid for the Olympics, and that is the result of an extraordinary effort that the country is making to open itself to the world, whilst maintaining its own traditions."

Guardiola said: "If the members decide to continue, then we will still have the sponsorship of a foundation which is doing things for research and for culture. If not, then we will move ahead with different resources. Whatever happens, the players will continue to run and fight, which in the end is the most important thing."

Barcelona's legendary former Dutch coach Johan Cruyff is among the high profile opponents of the Qatar Foundation deal, calling it "vulgar".

The Qatar Foundation, founded in 1995, has set up projects focusing on education, scientific research and community development, mainly in the Middle East.

Barcelona won the Spanish league and the Champions League last season but despite success on the field the club is struggling financially.

The Catalan side posted a loss of 79.6 million euros last season and they have debts of 442 million euros.

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Posted by: MM Monday, 26 September 2011 5:34 PM[UAE] - UAE

To all those whiners here, if not for Qatar Foundation's sponsorship, Barca would have had to sell off its star player Messi to keep the club running.

Come to the reality, club needs sponsorships. Its only little while it can survive without it.

Qatar Foundation doesn't sell alcohol or drugs or weapons. Its a clean organisation that invests in Education, Research and Community Development. Its not like they have some car sponsorships or cigarettes. So relax people.

If you are a true Barca fan (like me), then the only thing that should matter is to keep the team as it is and not to loose anyone of them.

Now go support your team to win this season, and if you aren't a Barca fan ? stay out of this topic.

Lord, people like to argue and debate on everything thats useless and time wasting. Do something better.

Posted by: John Tuesday, 27 September 2011 2:08 PM[UAE] - UAE

@MM - "if not for Qatar Foundation's sponsorship, Barca would have had to sell off its star player Messi to keep the club running. "

Well that nonsense for a start.

If the club were in serious financial trouble - which they aren't - Messi would be the last player they sold, but given that they haven't been forced to sell a single squad player, let alone stars of the first team, I think they'll be fine without Qatar.

And if you ARE a true Barca fan then you'll know that not having sponsorship on the front of the shirt was one of the things that made Barca "M�s que un club" because the shirt was not to be tainted with commercialism.

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Posted by: Island Style Sunday, 25 September 2011 5:11 PM[UAE] - UAE

Well Pep, you may be able to mastermind winning La Liga and all sorts on the pitch but you should stick to that. You obvioulsy haven't visited the UAE or even Bahrain if you claim Qatar to be the most open Muslim country in the Gulf.

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Posted by: Fletch Sunday, 25 September 2011 2:42 PM[UAE] - UAE

Johan Cruyff is right - it is vulgar.

Credit to the fans who were protesting. Barca were always admired because they considered the shirt too sacred to have advertising on. Let's hope that becomes the case in future.

You can't buy class.

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Posted by: Saif Sunday, 25 September 2011 2:40 PM[UAE] - Qatar

All those talking of Arabs having no class are just jealous. Face reality, the average Arab 25 year old drive cars most Europeans and Americans will never be able to afford.
Carry on with your jealousy, we will just ignore it as we drive our Bentleys and have fun.

Posted by: SRF Monday, 26 September 2011 2:03 PM[UAE] - UAE

The cars you're talking about are European made right? The expensive clothes and accessories you wear are probably European brands as well.

Posted by: procan Monday, 26 September 2011 9:55 AM[UAE] - canada

Saif your comment does not serve you well.

Posted by: thinker Monday, 26 September 2011 9:51 AM[UAE] - UAE

Are you serious Saif? You mean all average are 25 year old BUT a GCC national then yes what you are saying may be correct. How about millions of other arabs in other arabic countries, who cannot find job or even afford a decent life, or health care, let alone other things like education, etc... can they afford to afford cars?

Posted by: Fletch Sunday, 25 September 2011 5:34 PM[UAE] - UAE

No, people are saying you can't BUY class. There's a difference.

And the way you are claiming it's all jealousy just proves it.

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Posted by: SRF Sunday, 25 September 2011 11:28 AM[UAE] - UAE

European football clubs are becoming tools for GCC rivalries.
- QF wants to sponsoring FCB, Emirates airline is sponsoring Real Madrid.
- Abu Dhabi owns Machester City, Qatar is looking to buy Manchester United.

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