Thursday, Feb 11, 2010
Gulf News
Dubai Emirates airline looks set to expand their football sponsorship portfolio by adding Italian giants and seven-time European champions AC Milan to the glowing list of clubs that fly the airline's banner this Friday.
Agencies quoted Emirates spokesman Boutros Boutros as saying: "Emirates airline will officially sign the contract in Milan on Friday. We are proud to sponsor a club as prestigious as AC Milan."
The airline has reportedly agreed a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with the Serie A club which will come into effect in July, when Milan are through with current shirt sponsors, the Austrian gaming company, bwin. Emirates are already sponsors of English Premiership club Arsenal, German Bundesliga giants Hamburg, Paris Saint-Germain in France and Greek side Olympiakos.
Club not for sale
The Rossoneri have been frequently linked with Arab investors, but club owner Silvio Berlusconi has continuously reiterated in an adamant tone that his club is not for sale. Reuters quoted a club source as saying: "It's a friendship, it can become love or remain a friendship. There is enthusiasm in Dubai for this deal."
Milan have used Dubai as their winter training base twice in the past — in 2008 and 2009 — and the deal will be music to the ears of the club's fans in the UAE and the region.
In January last year, Milan beat German side Hamburg on penalties to win the Dubai Football Challenge at The Sevens. The Italians won 4-3 via penalties after the scores remained tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The match was also David Beckham's first game in a Milan shirt.
An Emirates spokesperson said: "We have been reviewing our sponsorship contract with AC Milan, and we expect to announce the result of negotiations on Friday."
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