Nottingham Forest takes advantage of its European stage to showcase CSR.
Nottingham Forest will feature Nottingham Forest Community Trust on the front of its shirts for its match against Real Betis tonight (September 24), marking the club’s first appearance in European competition for 30 years.
The Premier League side described the move as a “generous gesture” by its principal partner Bally’s, which cannot display its logo in Spain due to strict advertising laws.
Under the Royal Decree on Commercial Communications of Gambling Activities, gambling companies are prohibited from sponsoring sports kits during matches played in Spain. The rules extend to logos on shirts, training gear, and other visible branding in televised or public events.
Rather than leaving the space blank, Bally’s donated the spot to Forest’s official charity, Nottingham Forest Community Trust, for the UEFA Europa League fixture.
The Trust delivers education, wellbeing and sports programmes across Nottinghamshire, engaging more than 53,000 people last year and helping boost both physical and mental health in the community.
This isn’t the first time a gambling sponsor has stepped aside for a good cause. Aston Villa’s sponsor Betano gave up its front-of-shirt space to Acorns Children’s Hospice last year, when Villa returned to European football after a 42-year absence.
At the time, then Villa CEO Christopher Heck, said: “As we approach our first-ever Champions League game in the club’s history, Betano has given us the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We felt it was a no-brainer to feature Acorns on the front of the shirt for this historic match, supporting an organisation that is close to the hearts of Villa fans.”
European exposure pays off
Beyond the goodwill, Forest’s European campaign could also deliver significant financial rewards.
Manchester United recently reported record revenue of $909.1m (£666.5m), largely driven by their Europa League run to the final last season. Despite losing to Tottenham, the club benefited from broadcasting income, ticket sales and commercial growth.
Forest, who posted revenue of £189.6m last season, £130m of which came from broadcasting, will expect a sharp increase if they progress deep into the competition.
The club’s place in the tournament, however, was not without controversy. In June 2025, Forest submitted a formal complaint to UEFA, arguing that Crystal Palace’s ownership structure breached competition rules.
If Palace were excluded, Forest, who finished 7th in the Premier League, would take their place.
Palace fought the decision but suffered a major blow last month. On August 11, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the club’s appeal against UEFA, Forest, and Lyon was rejected, upholding UEFA’s ruling under multi-club ownership regulations.
