AS Roma presented a new shirt sponsor on Wednesday – causing frowns and anger. The reason: The deal is with Saudi Arabia and is also in direct competition with the city of Rome
As Roma jerseys have long been appreciated by jersey lovers. On the one hand, because of the beautiful colour combination of orange and red in reference to their nickname Giallorossi, but on the other hand, above all, because of the chest flocking, which in the past was often either non-existent or, as in the current case, very appropriate.
For some time now, the capital’s jerseys have been emblazoned with “SPQR” – the Latin abbreviation for “Senatus Populusque Romanus” (“Senate and People of Rome”). The lettering was the emblem of ancient Rome, the legions of the Roman Empire carried it on their standards (as known from the Asterix comics or film adaptations) and can still be found today as a motto in the coat of arms of the “Eternal City”. Or also on public buildings and manhole covers.
Deal for 25 million euros – and two games
As the Serie A club officially announced on Wednesday, a new deal has been struck – namely with the Saudi Arabian company “Riyadh Season” from the capital Riyadh. Since 2019, these have been annual state-funded sporting and event events that span the entire metropolitan region and between the months of October and March aim to generate or simply further spread economic and tourist interest in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.
This year, the opening ceremony will take place on 28 October – among other things in the form of a boxing match between the British boxer Tyson Fury, who is still undefeated in his professional career and is the current WBC world heavyweight champion, and Francis Ngannou (former UFC world heavyweight champion).
And this is precisely what is now being advertised on the Roman jerseys, which in turn will earn the Giallorossi 25 million euros over the two-year contract. Roma will also play two friendly matches in Saudi Arabia.
“This is about the question of how “
So far, so normal in today’s football business, where clubs are increasingly entering into deals and sponsorship contracts with companies from Qatar or Saudi Arabia. In the case of the Romans, however, there is something else at play: the “Gazzetta dello Sport” writes that the traditional club from the “Eternal City” informed the government only one day before the deal was concluded – and that the city of Rome is in direct competition with the city of Riyadh.
Both metropolises want to and are applying for the Expo World Exhibition 2030, the usual huge event with a financial volume of around ten billion euros. Former Rome mayor Virginia Elena Raggi (2016 to 2021) was incensed by this deal, including the lack of consultation. The 45-year-old native of Rome was quoted by “La Repubblica” as saying: “This whole number is a disgrace. It’s okay for Roma to be sponsored by whoever wants to. But this is about the question of how and the right timing.” She would not have finalised this deal, if at all, until after 28 November – when the vote will take place in Paris on who will win the bid for Expo 2030.
Raggi continued: “It’s shameful to have made this decision now and like this – now that we are all in the same boat to bring the Expo to Rome, to Italy. This is the time to stand together.” That’s why she demands: “It would be nice if Roma would wear the Expo 2030 logo on their shirts – as a sign of support for our candidacy. Lazio could do the same. I think all Romans would be proud of that.” It is highly doubtful, however, that these demands will find favour.
According to the “Gazzetta dello Sport”, the current mayor Roberto Gualtieri – who is said to have only learned of the matter on Tuesday in the form of two telephone calls with Roma boss Lina Souloukou – was also angered by this last-minute announcement. He then accused the club’s CEO of a lack of decency.
Financial problems with ex-sponsor
By the way, the fact that the Giallorossi’s players have been wearing “SPQR” lately has not been entirely voluntary. Roma’s latest shirt sponsor, the cryptocurrency financial services provider “DigitalBits”, has been in dire financial straits for some time and has reportedly not always fulfilled its obligations to the capital club. When a payment due on 31 May this year was not made, the Romans decided to run up without their sponsor’s lettering on the jerseys in future.
Until now, when “Riyadh Season” will be read for the next two years.
