Recently, FIFA issued an official notice to all member associations worldwide, reiterating that referees' uniforms and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) related areas strictly prohibit any form of gambling sponsorship. This measure aims to maintain the fairness and integrity of football matches and eliminate the influence of gambling advertisements on match referees and the event environment.
According to the "Global Football Strategic Goals for 2023-2027" by FIFA, under Goal 5, referees, as key guardians of fairness in matches, must not be influenced by gambling sponsorships. Given the importance of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, the Video Operation Room (VOR), and the Referee Review Area (RRA) in modern football matches, the rules have also been updated accordingly, explicitly prohibiting gambling advertisements in these critical referee support locations.
Specifically, Article 15, Clauses 1 and 4, allow sponsors to advertise on match officials' uniforms, but strictly prohibit the appearance of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, and gambling-related advertisements. Although advertisements are allowed in the VAR operation room and the referee review area, these advertisements must also comply with strict regulations prohibiting gambling and smoking.
FIFA emphasizes that all member associations must ensure that no form of gambling advertisements appear in the referee and related video referee areas under their jurisdiction, including on uniforms in the field, monitors in the video operation area, and banners that might be displayed to the audience through TV screens. Additionally, any advertisements involving tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, or slogans of a political, racist, or religious nature are also strictly prohibited.
The committee further reminds that if the advertisements worn by match officials conflict with the interests of the teams' sponsors, such advertisements must not appear on the referees, and related advertisements must be removed from the video operation room and referee review area before the match starts, to avoid affecting the fairness of the match.
This notice demonstrates FIFA's firm stance against gambling and other potential negative influences, emphasizing the determination to protect the fair competitive environment of football and striving to ensure the integrity and transparency of global football events.
