Barcelona strike unlikely kit sponsorship deal that could prove to be controversial

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Barcelona have struck a kit sponsorship agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the club has confirmed.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Barca have struck a deal with DR Congo's Ministry of Sports and Leisure that will see the Congo's logo of DRC, coeur de l’Afrique (DRC, the heart of Africa), on the back of their training shirts. The package is worth a total of €44 million (£38m/$50m) to Barca, who are consistently attempting to balance the books particularly after completing the signing of Marcus Rashford on loan.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The move is hugely controversial, however. While the Camp Nou will now feature House of the DRC, an exhibition which “will highlight the richness and diversity of Congolese cultural and sporting heritage through interactive exhibitions”. However, DRC is currently seeing intense fighting between their nation's army and a Rwandan-backed military group called March 23 Movement. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths, and Amnesty International have said there is an "ongoing human rights crisis" in the country.

FC Barcelona and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo @MinSport_Loisir partner to promote culture and innovation in sports in the African country.

DID YOU KNOW?

Rwanda, of course, have a sponsorship agreement with Arsenal and "Visit Rwanda" appears on the Gunners' shirt sleeves. The British government has suspended aid to the country over their alleged arming of the M23 group, as they continue fighting in the country, but Rwanda deny supporting the rebel group.

FBL-KOR-ESP-BARCELONA

WHAT NEXT?

Barcelona continue their pre-season preparations against FC Seoul on Thursday. Questions around DRC's sponsorship are unlikely to disappear.