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FOOTBALL

Barcelona agree ‘world record kit deal’

Barcelona agreed a “long-term” contract extension with American sportswear giants Nike on Saturday, which will reportedly see the Catalan club surpass Manchester United with the most lucrative kit-sponsorship deal in the world.

Barcelona agree 'world record kit deal'
A record-breaking deal will ease the strains on Barca’s finances as a €420 million renovation of their Camp Nou stadium looms. Photo: AFP

Barca said the details of the deal will be revealed and ratified at the club’s next general assembly. Catalan sports dailies Sport and Mundo Deportivo reported, however, that the world champions could make up to a staggering €155 million euros ($174 million) a season.

That would dwarf the current £75 million ($109million) a season, 10-year deal Manchester United agreed with Adidas last year.

“FC Barcelona and Nike, Inc. have extended their current sponsorship deal, which was due to end on 30 June 2018,” Barcelona said in a statement.

“The long-term agreement is a landmark in global football and builds upon a highly successful partnership.

“The details of the agreement will be reported and will have to be ratified at the next Club General Assembly.”

A record-breaking deal with ease the strains on Barca’s finances with a €420 million renovation of their Camp Nou stadium due to begin in 2018.

Moreover, the club are reportedly set to announce an extension to Brazilian star Neymar’s contract — who is a key Nike-sponsored athlete — in the coming weeks.

“Through this new agreement with Nike we are extending a strategic alliance for the club, while also reinforcing our global position, hand in hand with the leading global sports brand,” said Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu.

“We are excited by this new agreement and are confident that we’ll be able to celebrate continued sporting successes together.”

Despite sealing a 24th La Liga title last weekend, Barca are yet to agree a shirt sponsorship deal for next season as talks with current sponsors Qatar Airways have stalled.

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

https://twitter.com/GravesenFumado/status/1764242481984491822

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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