UNICEF Dropped For Qatar On Front Of Barca Shirt

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Barcelona will drop UNICEF from the front of its jersey in July to make room for the club's new sponsor, the Qatar Foundation.

Team Vice President Javier Faus says a bid to incorporate the two logos failed. Qatar Foundation will be on the front of the famous blue-and-claret jersey next season, and UNICEF will be moved to a place underneath each player's name on the back.

Barcelona had been one of the last remaining clubs in Europe without jersey advertising. Since 2006, the Spanish club had put UNICEF's logo on the jersey as part of a deal in which Barcelona donated 1.5 million euros ($2 million) annually to the organization.

Qatar, the World Cup host in 2022, is paying Barcelona 30 million euros ($40 million) per season. The deal could potentially reach 170 million euros ($225 million) over five years.

It is the first time in its 112-year history Barcelona will feature a paying advertiser.