A group of Arsenal supporters have taken an unconventional approach to protest their club’s ongoing Visit Rwanda sponsorship deal, unveiling a satirical campaign titled Visit Tottenham outside the Emirates Stadium.
The fan-led initiative, spearheaded by Gunners For Peace, aims to pressure the club into dropping its partnership with the Rwandan government, citing concerns over human rights issues linked to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The campaign features a prominent billboard mocking the Visit Rwanda branding, along with a tongue-in-cheek video advertising Tottenham as a tourism hotspot.
In addition to the billboard and video, activists will distribute armbands to fans ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
These armbands are designed to be worn over the Visit Rwanda logo on club shirts, symbolically rejecting the sponsorship.
Arsenal has been in partnership with Visit Rwanda since 2018, initially signing a three-year agreement before extending the deal in 2021.
According to financial reports, the sponsorship generated £10 million ($13.4 million) for Arsenal during the 2023-24 season.
However, growing concerns regarding Rwanda’s alleged involvement in funding militia activity in Eastern Congo have fueled opposition to the club’s association with the campaign.
A statement from Gunners For Peace reads:
“Arsenal is a great club, and we believe in its values. We do not want to see it linked to a regime implicated in human rights violations. We refuse to wear this sponsorship on our sleeves and urge the club to find a more ethical partnership.”
James Turner, a spokesperson for the movement, emphasized the moral responsibility Arsenal carries.
“With the club now competing regularly in the Champions League, there are plenty of potential sponsors who can replace Rwanda. This isn’t just about money—this is about principles. We are also hearing from Arsenal supporters in Congo who are boycotting the club’s merchandise until this deal is scrapped.”
Turner added that the satirical Tottenham campaign was intended to spark conversations among fans.
“Of course, no Arsenal fan would accept Tottenham on our shirts, so why should Rwanda be any different? The aim is to make people think about where we draw the line with sponsorship ethics.”
