The Premier League have reportedly refused Chelsea permission to have Paramount Plus as shirt sponsors.
Chelsea are looking for new shirt sponsors after their deal with mobile phone network Three expired at the end of the 22/23 season.
The Stamford Bridge club are believed to have wanted American TV network Paramount Plus as their sponsors but their plan has been hampered by the Premier League.
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According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League told Chelsea that the deal would be a non-starter due to concerns that it would not go down well with the competition’s broadcast partners.
It has been claimed that the league bosses felt the deal will break competition regulations.
As a result, Chelsea are now reportedly in talks with betting company Stake.com, who also sponsors fellow Premier League side, Everton.
However, there is an upcoming ban on betting sponsorships, which is due to kick in from the 26/27 season. A number of clubs in the Premier League are set to be affected by the incoming ban.
The Premier League announced the decision back in April, their statement said: “Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order to reduce gambling advertising.
“The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the League, its clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.”
It continued: “The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship.
“To assist clubs with their transition away from shirt-front gambling sponsorship, the collective agreement will begin at the end of the 2025/26 season.”
SPORTbible has contacted the Premier League for comment.
Topics: Chelsea, Premier League, Football
Marcus Chan