Josh Lawless
AS Roma have been forced to change their primary shirt sponsor for the huge clash with AC Milan.
The Giallorossi host the Champions League semi-finalists at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night as fifth meets fourth in Serie A.
But there will be something very different about Jose Mourinho's side when they line up for the home fixture. The club will not be sporting shirts with the Digitalbits logo front and centre after the cryptocurrency company failed to make payments.
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The blockchain brand became the main sponsor of both Roma and Inter Milan but missed a number of scheduled payments.
Inter decided to suspend their agreement, which also included advertising hoardings sponsorships at the San Siro. They now look set to play in sponsor-less kits for the remainder of the campaign.
Il Tempo, via Goal, say Roma have now followed suit in halting their partnership after a March 31 payment was not made.
They asked the Lega Serie A for permission to do so and also received the go-ahead to wear 'SPQR' - an abbreviation of an ancient Roman phrase "Senatus Populusque Romanus" which means "The Senate and the People of Rome" - going forward.
Roma have displayed the letters before in a 2016 derby clash with Lazio. Digitalbits only started their deal with Roma in 2021/22, before making another splash by linking up with Inter.
Although not terminated just yet, both contracts would appear dead in the water and one would expect the pair of Italian giants to have new sponsors next term.
Digitalbits have issued a vague statement on the recent events, stating: “Digitalbits foundation has undertaken a proactive process for the redefinition of partnerships that will involve the Digitalbits brand in the future, in line with the objectives of economic sustainability and use of blockchain technology.
“The sponsorship contracts regarding the exposure of the Digitalbits brand with the football teams Roma and Inter were concluded with Zytara labs. Digitalbits foundation represents the community and ecosystem aimed at promoting blockchain technology and its use.”