Bournemouth’s kit will be significantly different when the Premier League restarts
When Bournemouth next step out onto the pitch, the Cherries’ kit will look markedly different.
That’s because all of Bournemouth’s gear from now until the end of the season will be devoid of a main sponsor.
It’s been confirmed by the Athletic that May 31 is the final day in which M88 will be Bournemouth’s primary advertiser.
Bournemouth end partnership with shirt sponsor M88 after the online gaming company’s UK licence was revoked by the Gambling Commission. #AFCB set to play the rest of 19/20 season without a shirt sponsor, as things stand. https://t.co/2CZxBtLeRi
— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) May 30, 2020
Why Bournemouth & M88 are splitting paths
Bournemouth have been forced to remove M88 from their club gear after the company lost their UK gambling licence.
The Cherries have posted the following statement on the club’s website:
AFC Bournemouth can confirm that its partnership with M88 will end on Sunday.
The online gaming company has featured on the front of the club’s home, away and third shirts, and training wear, since the start of the 2017/18 season.
The club will therefore complete the 2019/20 campaign in new training wear and playing kits.
AFC Bournemouth would like to thank M88 for its support over the past three years.
Yet, on the specific reason why M88 have lost their UK gambling licence, that’s unclear.
All we know is that M88 are “being investigated by the UK Gambling Commission”, report the Athletic.
What are the financial implications for Bournemouth after losing M88?
The good news for the Cherries is that their deal with M88 was ending soon.
The Athletic confirm that “Bournemouth’s three-year deal with M88 was due to expire on May 31”.
According to the Daily Mail, M88 paid Bournemouth 5 million pounds a season to be their chief sponsor.
Who will be Bournemouth’s next sponsor?
This is unclear.
The Daily Mail have suggested that Bournemouth may revamp their kits with a message of support for the NHS until the 2019-20 Premier League season ends.
Looking further afield, however, Bournemouth may have a tough challenge finding a new shirt sponsor due to the current economic climate during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, Bournemouth’s obstacles will be increased if the Cherries are relegated from the Premier League this season.
Bournemouth draw up designs to put message to key workers on their shirts for their last nine games after betting sponsor M88 have their UK lisence revoked. #afcb https://t.co/uO72WJ03eg
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) May 30, 2020
David Brooks is finally fit again
Sticking with Bournemouth, a piece of good news: the club have confirmed that winger David Brooks is fit again after a long injury.
Brooks has been out of action since last July with an ankle injury.
However, this weekend in an update on the Bournemouth website, Simon Francis has revealed the 22-year-old is available again:
“He’s fully fit now,” said Francis of the Wales international. “He’s training with the group and raring to go. He’s been given a second chance at the season because it looked like he would have been out for the whole of it.
“He was devastated at one point but situations can bring positives and Brooksy and there could be a couple of the other lads being back fit, Steve Cook hopefully in the next few weeks will be joining back in with training.”
The Premier League restarting ️⚽
Maintaining match fitness 🏃
Playing behind closed doors 🚪Simon Francis gives his thoughts on the return of football. #afcb 🍒https://t.co/4AJz8Jx8ba
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 30, 2020
Finally, Bournemouth goalie Aaron Ramsdale has confirmed he’s now tested negative for Covid-19.
As of this morning I was out of isolation after my Covid19 test came back negative. Can’t wait to be back out on the grass Monday 🍒⚽️ https://t.co/IiIV7VKUMx
— Aaron (@AaronRamsdale98) May 30, 2020
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