Swedish Minister Criticizes Barcelona Agreement
Barcelona’s New €44m Sponsorship Deal with DR Congo
Last week, Barcelona made headlines with the announcement of a new sponsorship agreement that is set to bring in a substantial €44m over the next four years. This deal with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sparked mixed reactions among fans and critics alike.
As part of the agreement, the DR Congo tourism board will promote the country on Barcelona’s shirt sleeve, featuring the slogan ‘RD Congo – Coeur d’Afrique’ [DR Congo – Heart of Africa]. This move follows similar campaigns by other countries like Rwanda and Botswana, who have sponsored football teams in recent years. Additionally, clubs like AS Monaco and AC Milan have also signed similar agreements with DR Congo.
Swedish Government’s Criticism of the Barcelona-DR Congo Deal
Swedish Government Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, has expressed concerns about the sponsorship deal. Sweden provides aid to DR Congo and Dousa emphasized that Swedish funds should not be used for such partnerships. He highlighted that Swedish aid is directed towards essentials like food packages, vaccines, and education, rather than sponsorships.
The article also highlights that 73% of the DR Congolese population live in poverty, ranking 163rd out of 180 in the corruption index.
Human Rights Concerns in DR Congo
Amnesty International has raised human rights concerns in DR Congo, conflicting with Barcelona’s values of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. The ongoing conflict between DR Congo and Rwandan-backed rebel groups has led to reports of extrajudicial killings by government forces, raising further ethical questions about the sponsorship deal.
