The UK government is set to introduce plans that would effectively ban betting advertisements on football shirts, in a move that will have a profound impact on clubs up and down the country.
Almost half of current Premier League teams have a betting company as a shirt sponsor, which goes some way towards highlighting the scale of the relationship between football and the wider gambling industry.
According to the Daily Mail, the outlawing of betting firms advertising their services on football shirts is almost certain to be included in a government white paper, which aims to reform the 2005 Gambling Act.
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It won't just be football that is affected, as betting logos on the shirts of all sports teams will be banned if the new legislation successfully passes through both houses.
The ban on betting adverts could be widened at a later date to include pitchside hoardings and TV placements - although this isn't likey to be considered any time soon.
Both gambling and alcohol advertisements have been subject to a great deal of scrutiny in recent years.
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Cigarette ads are already completely banned in sport, with alcoholic companies still permitted to advertise their products under certain circumstances,
Gambling isn't quite as taboo just yet, but the impact of eradicating company logos from shirts will be profoundly felt by the football clubs around the UK.
The nine Premier League clubs who would lose their current shirt sponsor under the proposed rules are: Burnley, Newcastle United, Leeds United, West Ham United, Wolves, Watford, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brentford.
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That isn't where the entanglement ends, however, as virtually every Premier League club is partnered in some way with a betting firm.
The rule changes, which would still need to be ratified, aren't expected to be introduced into 2023, giving clubs and gambling companies time to adapt to the new landscape.
Concern remains for Football League clubs who are partnered with a betting firm, as many could fail to attract deals that are anywhere near as lucrative.
A source close to the situation told the Daily Star: "We are pretty sure there is going to be an end to front-of-shirt advertising. Everybody is expecting that. Reformers want more but a lot of politicians are worried about the lower leagues.
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"The Government thinks front-of-shirt will catch the headlines and it will feel like it has made a bold statement."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Watford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford, Southampton, Premier League, Leeds United, West Ham, Burnley, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace