Why Inter Milan removed betting sponsor from shirts for Real Madrid Champions League game

Inter Milan played their UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid with the main sponsor’s logo removed from the front of their shirts because of Spanish advertising regulations.

The unusual change was visible during the Italian club’s visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory on Tuesday in the opening round of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the decision was not a sporting choice and was not imposed by either Real Madrid or UEFA. Instead, it was linked to Spanish laws governing the advertising of gambling and betting companies.

Inter Milan’s usual shirt carries the branding of a company operating in the gaming and sports betting sector. Spanish regulations place restrictions on the display of such brands during matches played in the country, meaning the sponsor could not appear on the team’s shirts at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As a result, Inter Milan temporarily removed the logo from the players’ kits for the match against Real Madrid in order to comply with the rules in force in Spain.

The measure does not amount to a permanent ban on the sponsor appearing on Inter Milan’s shirts. The restriction applies only to matches and competitions staged in countries where legislation imposes similar limits on advertising by gambling and betting companies.

Inter Milan eventually lost the match 2-1, beginning their campaign in the league phase with defeat against Real Madrid.

The shirt change was therefore specific to the location of the fixture rather than a change in the club’s sponsorship arrangements. Inter Milan remain able to display the branding in countries where the relevant advertising laws allow it.

The issue occurred during a high-profile European fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu, where the absence of the familiar logo gave the Italian side a noticeably different appearance from its usual matchday kit.

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