Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the operating body for football referees in England, has agreed a sponsorship deal with video games company Electronic Arts and its EA Sports brand until the end of the 2018-19 season.
EA Sports becomes a principle partner of PGMOL and its branding will feature on all referee kits in English Premier League, FA Cup and Football League games – a total of around 2,700 matches each season.
Along with shirt-sleeve and training wear branding on clothing worn by all match officials under the five-and-a-half year deal, EA Sports will benefit from branding and accreditation on PGMOL publicity material and refereeing inventory, along with the organisation’s official website.
Referee Michael Oliver was the first English official to wear the EA Sports sponsored kit when he took charge of the 1-1 Premier League draw between West Bromwich Albion and Everton last night, while EA Sports’ presence will be extended to the Capital One Cup and FA Cup competitions over the course of matches this week.