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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea release new home kit without main sponsor after fan backlash

Chelsea today released their new kit without a front-of-shirt sponsor as they continue to search for a main commercial partner for the 2023-24 season.

The club last week pulled out of talks with gambling company Stake.com following a backlash from supporters over the possibility of partnering with a betting firm.

That came after the Premier League had blocked a proposed lucrative deal with American streaming service Paramount+ over fears it would upset broadcasting rights holders.

Talks with potential sponsors remain ongoing but Chelsea have decided to bring out their home Nike kit - which is ’90s-inspired and features gold and white trim - which fans can pre-order but will not be able to get their hands on until after the new season starts.

Chelsea have so far been frustrated in their search for a shirt sponsor to replace mobile phone company Three, whose £40million-a-year deal ended after last season.

As they closed in on a one-year deal with Stake.com, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust accused the club of making a “total mockery” of work done by the Chelsea Foundation to help people with gambling addictions.

Chelsea expect to secure a deal with a new shirt sponsor before their first game of the new season, which is against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on August 13, with fans being able to wear the shirt from August 16 at the earliest.

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