Arsenal decide to end controversial Rwanda sponsorship after eight years

In a statement on Wednesday, Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick thanked the Rwanda Development Board
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Arsenal have decided to end their controversial sponsorship with Visit Rwanda after eight years.
The agreement will come to a mutual end at the end of the season.
The relationship sparked criticism from some of the Arsenal fan base, who called for the deal to be scrapped.
Campaigns cited Rwanda's record on LGBT+ human rights as grounds to scrap the partnership.
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In a statement on Wednesday, Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick wrote: "Our first-ever sleeve partnership with Visit Rwanda has been a significant journey.
"Over many years, we've worked together to raise global awareness of Rwanda's tourism and conservation efforts and built many new connections with our supporters across Africa.
"The commitment and support of Visit Rwanda throughout our partnership has played an important role in driving forward our ambitions - helping us invest in our long-term vision to win major trophies, in a financially sustainable way.
"We thank the Rwanda Development Board for their partnership and what we've delivered together."

Arsenal have decided to end their controversial sponsorship with Visit Rwanda after eight years
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Pressure on the north London club mounted when the government of neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo urged the club, along with two others, to drop their sponsorship deals in February.
It followed the Rwandan-backed rebels' seizure of the city of Goma in the DRC.
Two months later, a group of supporters launched a campaign against the deal, calling for it to be scrapped ahead of the current season.
This included revealing a satirical "Visit Tottenham" billboard outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of a home game with Crystal Palace.
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The agreement will come to a mutual end at the end of the season
|GETTY
Arsenal announced the partnership on May 23 2018, with Visit Rwanda becoming their “first official sleeve partner” and "official Tourism Partner."
The logo, which is reportedly seen “35 million times a day” around the world, appeared on the left sleeve of Arsenal’s shirts.
The Arsenal shirt reportedly gets seen “35 million times a day” around the world.
Critics argue that such sponsorships could be seen as “sportswashing”, using sport to improve a country’s international image despite controversial political or human rights issues.

The relationship sparked criticism from some of the Arsenal fan base
|GETTY
On Wednesday, Arsenal's LGBTQ+ group, Gay Gooners, welcomed the decision not to renew the sponsorship.
"As a group, we have been uncomfortable with the deal from the start and made significant representations to Arsenal through official channels since 2021," they said.
"In a survey of our 2,500+ worldwide membership in July, only 2 per cent of respondents thought the £10m/year Visit Rwanda sponsorship should be renewed. 86 per cent wanted the contract to end and a replacement found.
"Some members highlighted Rwanda's record on LGBT+ human rights."
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