The AFL Aussie rules league has moved to end a sponsorship deal between its affiliated league in Europe and Royal Brunei Airlines in the wake of controversy surrounding the adoption of Sharia laws in the southeast Asian country.
Brunei’s state airline agreed a deal with AFL Europe, which receives financial support from the AFL and promotes the code in 22 European countries, in August.
When fully introduced in 2015, the laws imposed by the Sultan of Brunei will include the death penalty by stoning for gay sex and adultery. The laws have resulted in a worldwide boycott campaign aimed at businesses owned by the ruler of Brunei.
An AFL spokesman told Australian broadcaster ABC that after examining the issue, the league was now working with AFL Europe to end the agreement with Royal Brunei Airlines.
The spokesman said the sponsorship deal will be terminated “possibly within days, at most within a few weeks”.