Arsenal: Angry fans demand to end ‘Visit Rwanda’ shirt sponsorship deal

Arsenal face pressure from fans to sever ties with shirt sponsor Visit Rwanda amid the UK government’s new partnership with the African country to fight illegal immigration.

Last year more than 28,000 migrants and refugees crossed mainland Europe to the UK. The arrival of migrants on rickety boats has fueled tensions between France and the UK, particularly after 27 migrants drowned when their dinghy was dumped in November.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to fight people-smuggling gangs and to use the Navy to bolster Britain’s operations in the English Channel.

“From today, the Royal Navy will assume operational command of the Border Force in the English Channel, with the objective of ensuring that no boat enters Britain undetected,” Johnson said in a speech announcing a plan to those who made the crossing to send to Rwanda.

Johnson’s announcement has prompted football fans to call on her club to end ties with Visit Rwanda – a partnership that has existed since 2018.

The Gunners initially signed a three-year deal worth £30million with the Rwanda Development Board in 2018 but renewed it last year.

A new four-year deal worth up to £10million a year has also been agreed for the start of this season, according to Football.London.

Regardless of the financial offers for their club, fans are urging the north London side to cut all ties with Visit Rwanda.

Fans are demanding Arsenal end their partnership with Visit Rwanda immediately

Arsenal have been linked with Visit Rwanda since 2018 and have reportedly signed a new four-year deal in 2021, worth up to £10m a year, to have them as their shirt-sleeve sponsor

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda

The Prime Minister has ordered warships to take on the Border Force as the latest wave of arrivals from France landed in Kent

“Cancel the Rwanda deal – this will blow up,” wrote one fan directly on Arsenal’s official Twitter account.

“C’mon @Arsenal drop ‘Visit Rwanda’ and replace it with Arsenal Foundation or Willows or No More Red or Shelter… turn a negative into a positive,” one user tweeted. “It’s easy to hide on the sleeve, too. No excuses. #rwanda’

“In light of today’s news, I politely ask @Arsenal to remove the Visit Rwanda patches from their kits and to refuse all forms of sportswear,” wrote another.

“Time for Arsenal to end their involvement in Rwanda I think,” was another reply.

Another user also tweeted the club directly, writing: “@Arsenal Players kneel for Black Lives Matter as ‘Visit Rwanda’ reminds us that the UK will be transporting black asylum seekers there. Time to end the sponsorship.’

sports mail has reached out to Arsenal for comment on their stance on the matter.

Mikel Arteta’s side are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Southampton in the Premier League.

They are currently wearing their Visit Rwanda shirt sleeve sponsor as usual for the trip to St Mary’s.

The Gunners were contacted by sports mail about plans with the sponsor of Visit Rwanda