Ted Menmuir<\/p>\n
\u00a0La Liga<\/strong>\u00a0football clubs will be forced to remove all betting related sponsorships and in-stadia promotional materials in accordance with the government\u2019s COVID-19 \u2018Social Shield\u2019<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0decree emergency response.<\/p>\n The top flight of Spanish football will return on Thursday 12 June with the Seville derby (Sevilla FC vs Real Betis) restarting La Liga\u2019s postponed schedule after an 11-week hiatus.<\/p>\n Despite easing a majority of social restrictions, the Spanish government has underlined that La Liga matches must follow temporary emergency provisions announced in March, which includes a ban on all forms of gambling advertising until 21 June.<\/p>\n Upholding emergency laws, eight clubs \u2013\u00a0Valencia, Alav\u00e9s, Legan\u00e9s, Granada, Mallorca, Sevilla, Osasuna<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Levante<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 will recommence their La Liga seasons blanking out bookmaker sponsorships.<\/p>\n Under the mandate of Spain\u2019s COVID-19\u00a0\u2018Social Shield Decree<\/em>\u2019,<\/em>\u00a0the\u00a0Consumer Affairs Ministry<\/strong>\u00a0was allowed to fast-track the approved laws of Spain\u2019s \u2018Royal Decree on Advertising\u2019 \u2013 a federal bill which permits a \u2018four-hour advertising window (1-5 am)\u2019 for licensed gambling companies.<\/p>\n Spanish bookmakers and wider media stakeholders have criticised the Consumer Affairs Ministry for sanctioning a rash judgement, which removed a \u2018grace period\u2019 to allow betting firms to fulfil advertising contracts with media partners prior to the start of the 2020\/2021 football season in September.<\/p>\n La Liga is also aiming to allow stadiums to host match days at \u2018one-third of capacity\u2019 providing they adhere to strict social distancing laws. La Liga has detailed that it is currently working on further developments with government representatives to ease further matchday restrictions.<\/p>\n