FA ends betting partnership with Ladbrokes

The Football Association has ended its partnership with Ladbrokes just 12 months into a four-year deal and will no longer have sponsorships with betting companies.

The decision to end Ladbrokes' position as official betting partner, a deal reportedly worth £4 million a year, was taken at the FA's board meeting in May.

Football's relationship with gambling companies came under the spotlight in April after Burnley player Joey Barton received an 18-month ban for betting on matches.

It subsequently emerged that FA chairman Greg Clarke had already launched a review of the body's relationship with gambling companies while also being responsible for the regulation of sports betting within the sport's rules.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: "We would like to thank Ladbrokes for both being a valued partner over the last year and for their professionalism and understanding about our change of policy around gambling."

The FA said it would "continue to work with betting companies, including Ladbrokes, as they play a key role in sharing information on suspect betting patterns and so help in regulating the game".

Ladbrokes Coral chief executive Jim Mullen said: "We understand the FA's decision regarding their commercial partnerships on gambling.

"Football is a passion of ours, and our customers, and we remain committed to working with the FA to ensure the integrity and trust of the sport is maintained for the fans of the game and the millions of customers who enjoy betting on it week in and week out."

Ladbrokes have been the Scottish Professional Football League's main sponsor since 2015 and this year extended that partnership until the end of the 2017-18 season.