Rangers FC, of the Scottish Professional Football League, will not renew its in-stadium partnership with bookmaker Ladbrokes in advance of the 2020-21 season.
According to The Scottish Sun, the announcement seems to be little more than posturing from the Glasgow-based football club. Ladbrokes had no comment. But at the start of the 2019-20 season, the bookmaker opted not to renew its legacy sponsorship of the league, instead supporting its wider “Change for the Bettor” social responsibility mandate in which all active GVC U.K. betting brands end their marketing exposure through football.
The Rangers announcement may have resulted from dissatisfaction with how the league will conclude the current season. Rangers labeled the decision to determine the final placement of its three leagues on a points-to-date basis as an “abhorrent plan that would have severe consequences for football clubs.”
Rangers’ Interim Chairman Douglas Park said the club had “whistle-blower evidence” raising doubts about the stewardship of voting in relation to the league resolution. The club called for the suspension of league Chief Executive Neil Doncaster while an investigation takes place.
“The lack of leadership and responsibility from the SPFL as a members’ organization has shocked me,” Park said. “If ever there was a time for complete openness and transparency, it is now.”
