The Football Association of Ireland has ended its two-year sponsorship agreement with SportPesa

The Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) has refused to renew the company’s Kenya operating due to concerns over the rapid rise of gambling addiction and the wave is now spreading to the rest of the world with countries very keen to control the sensitive industry.

FAI says it is “shifting priorities” and “reevaluating its partnership portfolio” hence the termination of the contract.

An FAI spokesman said: “We thank SportPesa for their sponsorship and their professionalism over the course of this deal. We wish the company well with its diversification strategy.”

In a joint statement announcing the end of the sponsorship deal, the FAI and SportPesa said the decision to cut ties comes from “a re-evaluation of sponsorship focus at the FAI prompted discussions between the two parties which has led to the expiry of this deal.”

A spokesman for SportPesa told the Irish Sun that the FAI and SportPesa have “mutually agreed to terminate” their partnership.

He added: “We respect that the FAI has decided to shift its priorities and re-evaluate its partnerships portfolio.

“As an organisation that takes responsible gambling incredibly seriously, we understand the new approach taken by the FAI towards its partnerships with those in the gaming sector.

“We also wish Mick McCarthy and his players the best of luck ahead of their crucial UEFA Euro 2020 playoff campaign.”