Qatar Airways Takes Over Barcelona Deal
FC Barcelona’s move to corporate shirt sponsorship will be completed next year, after the club announced that Qatar Airways will take over the position on the front of its shirt.
The club offered the front of its shirt to a brand for the first time in 2003, when it handed global children’s charity Unicef the coveted position. The position was then given to the Qatar Foundation under a five-year deal with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI).
Qatar Airways will now take the position as part of an agreement which allowed the change of brand from the third season of the contract, with the Qatar Foundation taking on the role of the club’s ‘official human development partner’.
‘We are delighted to form this alliance with FC Barcelona, the biggest football club in the world,’ said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways. ‘Qatar Airways has been voted best airline in the world for two consecutive years and will work with FC Barcelona on activities of benefit both to fans and passengers, offering tangible rewards to both organisations.’
Sandro Rosell, president of FC Barcelona, added: ‘After sharing two fantastic years with Qatar Foundation, we are delighted to be continuing our relationship by welcoming them as our official human development partner.’
