Activists urge UEFA to break up with airline sponsorships

As airline sponsorships become more intrinsically linked to European football, activists are urging clubs and governing bodies to break away from this ecologically damaging association.

There’s rarely a quiet day at UEFA HQ, and Valentine’s Day brought forth a fresh batch of criticism to the association’s door.

The Union of European Football Associations, which hosts the sport’s elite EU competitions; including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, is now under fire for its ever-expanding relationship with airline companies.

While this has been a contentious topic for years already, the microscope is once again on UEFA thanks to the efforts of eco-sport group Fossil Free Football.

On the internationally recognised day of love, the account posted an editfeaturing the UEFA crest and Turkish Airlines logo cosied up in bed with copy reading: ‘We celebrate the ongoing love affair between European elite football and the fossil fuel industry.’

If you keep up to date with European football, you’ll already know that the account’s indictment is in no way overstated. Not only is the organisation sponsored by…