April 24 – High flying Roma, who tonight play Liverpool in the first round of the Champions League semi-final, have announced Qatar Airways will become the club’s new shirt sponsor in a three-year deal.
No figure was announced for the sponsorship but Roma say it is the largest ever agreed by an Italian football club. The Qatar Airways will appear on the front of the first team’s shirts for the first time tonight against Liverpool. The deal lasts until the end of the 2020-21 season.
AS Roma president Jim Pallotta said: “Today’s announcement is the result of discussions behind the scenes for over eight months with Qatar Airways, led by our commercial team in London with much assistance from the entire Roma team, and comes at a significant time in the club’s history, on and off the pitch.
“With a new stadium due to begin construction late this year and the team in the Champions League semi-final for the first time for 34 years, it’s an exciting time to be a Roma fan.”
Under the terms of the deal, Qatar Airways becomes Roma’s Main Global Partner and will be only the seventh shirt sponsor in the club’s 90-year history. Qatar Airways has a growing portfolio of football sponsorships. The airline is one of FIFA’s main sponsors for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and until recently was Barcelona’s main shirt sponsor. Until recently it was Barcelona’s shirt sponsor.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “As an airline, we understand the power of sport in bringing people together, and our new partnership with AS Roma further underscores this belief. We look forward to working together and celebrating with AS Roma fans all over the globe.”
Qatar Airways currently flies twice a day to Rome and Milan, as well as daily to Venice and Pisa. Qatar Airways last year announced the acquisition of 49% of AQA Holding, the new parent company of Air Italy.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713569638labto1713569638ofdlr1713569638owedi1713569638sni@n1713569638osloh1713569638cin.l1713569638uap1713569638