🔗 Share this article

The North London club has declared that its much-debated sponsorship partnership with Visit Rwanda will expire in June of next year.

Context and Criticism

This deal, estimated to cost around ten million pounds each year, began in 2018 and has since been heavily criticized.

The backlash stems from the country's reported backing for the M23 militia in persistent fighting in the eastern region of the adjacent DRC.

Months ago, Arsenal was accused of delivering an "outrageous" snub to the Congolese government by failing to convene with Congolese diplomat Thérèse Wagner to talk about the deal.

Partnership Structure and Objectives

Visit Rwanda functions as a division of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a government department.

Many speculate that Arsenal entered into and maintained this partnership mainly to grow their following across the continent.

However, the partnership has now terminated after both parties “jointly decided” to end their collaboration.

“Jointly, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have outperformed the initial objectives of the partnership – promoting conservation and eco-friendly travel, motivating countless fans to discover the country, and creating a lasting foundation for travel industry expansion,” declared an official Arsenal statement.

The statement continued that the partnership has also supported Rwanda's goal of becoming an global sports center in Africa and stage additional international competitions while delivering community soccer programs that have assisted numerous youth athletes and coaches improve their techniques and inspire greater participation in athletics nationwide.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's CEO, portrayed the arrangement as a “major expedition” and claimed it had been “propelling” the club's ambitions.

But that is not how a segment of the club's followers, with the protest movement Gunners for Peace demonstrating outside the North London venue during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in late April.

Activists unveiled a placard declaring “Terminate the Visit Rwanda Partnership” and handed out sleeves to cover up the Rwanda branding on uniforms.

Broader Context and Other Clubs

During that period, PSG continued their sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda until 2028.

Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid signed a fresh deal for the identical duration that has resulted in the logo being carried on the La Liga side's men's and women's shirts.