FC Barcelona signed a sponsorship agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the next four years. The blaugrana team will receive 40 million euros, at a rate of €10M per season, for wearing the African country's sponsor on their training shirts.
On the other hand, the culé team, through the 'Barça Academies' and the 'Barça Innovation Hub' (BIHUB), will develop sports and educational programs for children and adults. From the Catalan institution, they have emphasized that this collaboration aims to "promote football and the culture of sport and peace."
In addition, the agreement between Barça and the DRC includes the opening of the new house of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the facilities of the new Spotify Camp Nou, as part of the Espai Barça to welcome fans.
Amnesty International recalls that attempts are being made to hide abuses in the DRC
However, the NGO Amnesty International recently condemned the link between Barça and the African nation. The agreement establishes that the azulgrana club must display the emblem "RD Congo – Coeur de l'Afrique" on the back of their training shirts until the end of 28/29.
In that sense, Amnesty International, specialized in human rights, recalls that the DRC is experiencing an armed conflict with Rwanda, which has left thousands of victims.
Therefore, the NGO considers that, with this advertising agreement, attempts are being made to hide widespread human rights abuses by the 'March 23 Movement (M23)', supported by Rwanda and Wazalendo, a coalition of armed groups supported by the Congolese army.
For Amnesty International, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become "a host country where war crimes are committed." For this reason, the organization considers it a mistake for a club with the significance of FC Barcelona to sponsor a nation questioned internationally.
The DRC also has agreements with Monaco and Milan
Barça is not the only team that has an agreement with the DRC. There are other European clubs that have made alliances with the African country. AC Milan and AS Monaco also have current agreements with the country. For this reason, Amnesty International, on its website, is collecting signatures against 'sports washing'.
"European football has become a global showcase of what is known as sportwashing: the use of sport to clean up the image of countries with serious human rights abuses," the NGO says.
In addition to the DRC, Rwanda, its neighboring country, also has agreements with Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Bayern Munich and Atlético de Madrid, who have promoted the slogan of the 'Visit Rwanda' campaign to promote tourism and investments in that region.
In that sense, Amnesty International is totally against the agreements of African countries with European football clubs. Will their claims have an effect?