Here are your latest Leeds United evening headlines for Monday, April 17.
SBOTOP 'hope' to maintain Leeds United partnership amid gambling sponsor ban
SBOTOP are 'hopeful' of maintaining an effective business partnership with Leeds United despite the announcement that Premier League teams will no longer permit front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships.
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Leeds agreed a multi-year partnership with SBOTOP in 2020, which represented the largest commercial deal in the club's history.
The global sports betting brand have featured on the front of Leeds' shirt since the start of the 2020/21 season. However, Premier League clubs have agreed to stop gambling sponsorship on the front of shirts, with the change set to commence at the start of the 2026/27 season.
Bill Mummery, who is the CEO of SBOTOP's parent company Celton Manx Limited, is willing to cooperate with the Premier League, and is optimistic that SBOTOP can maintain a 'mutually beneficial' business model with Leeds.
“We partnered with Leeds United upon their return to the PL after some 16 years. An unnaturally long period for a club with such a strong history as one of the ‘Great English Clubs’,” Mummery said via Insider Sport.
“We are hopeful that we will still be part of the Leeds PL story – with whom we have had an excellent relationship – going forward.”
He added: “In terms of the effectiveness of such a ban, it is worth noting that Italian football introduced a similar measure for a period of three-to-five years then announced that it had delivered no benefit or impact and reversed their actions.
“That said, we are keen to work with the Premier League going forward to maintain and further develop a business model that I believe has worked well and been mutually beneficial.”
Gary Neville makes ‘painful’ Leeds United relegation prediction
Gary Neville says relegation for the likes of Leeds United, Everton and Leicester would be painful financially. The Whites are two points above the Premier League bottom three and four points clear of the Foxes in 19th.
With eight games to go, Javi Gracia and his side know they must start picking up points if they're to stave off relegation to the Championship. They face a tough ask against Liverpool at Elland Road this evening, but the reverse fixture at Anfield was one of their seven wins in the top flight back in October.
Leeds still have to face title-chasing Manchester City and European hopefuls Newcastle, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the Whites also take on four of the sides around them embroiled in a fight against the drop - Leicester, Bournemouth and West Ham.
Leeds United urged to retain Luke Ayling in starting XI despite Crystal Palace disaster
Paul Robinson has urged Javi Gracia to retain Luke Ayling in the starting XI despite his poor performance in Leeds United's 5-1 thrashing against Crystal Palace.
Ayling returned to the side after the World Cup break and has captained Leeds in the absence of Liam Cooper. He was rewarded for his impressive form with a new one-year contract in February, but the full-back has seen his form drop in recent weeks.
The 32-year-old conceded a penalty in Leeds' 4-1 defeat at Premier League leaders Arsenal, and endured a torrid afternoon against Palace.
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