The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has formally reinforced its ban on advertisements from gambling companies in all areas connected to refereeing, including on uniforms, within the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth, and around the pitchside review zone. The directive was issued to all member associations on August 1, protecting the integrity of match officials.

Despite this global regulation, the Brazilian Football Confederation continues to display betting-related branding in VAR-related areas. For instance, the totem supporting the monitor for pitchside reviews in Brazil’s national competitions still carries visible sponsorship from betting companies.

This stems from naming rights agreements in place for competitions such as Série A and Copa do Brasil, both currently sponsored by Betano. However, with FIFA reiterating its clear stance, the CBF will be required to remove such branding to comply with international regulations.

CBF to Adapt as FIFA Calls for Immediate Changes

FIFA’s updated notice cites paragraphs 1 to 4 of Article 15 in the 2020 FIFA Regulations on the Organization of Refereeing in Member Associations. While the rules do allow limited advertising on items such as the back of referee shirts and VAR booths, they prohibit promotion of gambling, alcohol, narcotics, or tobacco.

The ban extends to digital overlays and banners for television broadcasts when VAR reviews are in progress. This helps to avoid conflict of interest or undue influence on match officials.

According to FIFA, referees are instrumental in preserving the integrity of the sport. In a statement, the organisation stressed, “The Video Assistant Referee system, Video Operation Room, and Referee Review Area are crucial support elements that enhance referees’ ability to make accurate and fair decisions.”

Betting Industry Strongly Embedded in Brazilian Football

In recent years, the betting industry has become a prominent financial backer of Brazilian football. Of the 20 teams competing in Série A, only Red Bull Bragantino and Mirassol do not have betting firms as their main sponsors. However, these two clubs still feature related branding on their uniforms.

While the CBF does not associate betting companies with the Brazilian national team, it allows commercial deals involving its tournaments. These include rights to sell competition naming, commercial space on matchday assets, and other media exposure.

Compliance or Conflict: CBF’s Next Move

As FIFA pushes for stricter enforcement of its policies, the CBF faces a pivotal decision. With existing contracts in place and reliance on gambling revenue, it is hard to transition to full compliance immediately. However, further violations will result in penalties from the global football body. 

The spotlight is on how the CBF will respond. Whether they renegotiate existing deals or redesign matchday setups, Brazilian authorities must align with global standards to maintain football’s integrity.