3 months ago
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While Arsenal fans continue protesting about the club’s sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda, the African country’s tourism board has signed a deal with another top European football side.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have agreed a three-year contract with Visit Rwanda, and their men’s and women’s teams will carry its logo on their shirts next season.
Rwanda’s long-standing partnerships with Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain have come under the spotlight after increased violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where authorities say 7,000 people have been killed since January.
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of arming M23 rebels and sending troops to support the militants.
Despite assertions from both the United Nations and United States, Rwanda has denied supporting the M23.
A section of Arsenal’s support has formed a group named Gunners for Peace and are calling on the Premier League club not to renew its deal with Visit Rwanda as the partnership does not fit the club’s “values and standards”.
They believe the sleeve sponsorship, which is reportedly worth more than £10 million per year, runs out at the end of this season.
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