Barcelona members back controversial Qatar deal

Barcelona members have given their backing to the clubs €171 million sponsorship deal with Qatar Sports Investment on Saturday, unanimously voting in favour of the money-spinning deal, FourFourTwo.com reports. The issue of sponsorship is a controversial subject in Catalunya, with only Unicef's name appearing on Barcelona shirts until this season. But with Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations around the corner, the Spanish champions have agreed a lucrative sponsorship deal with the Emirati organisation. The club's members overwhelmingly voted in favour of the agreement, with 679 votes for the deal compared to just 76 against. After Barcelona's 5-0 victory over Atletico Madrid this weekend, the European champions currently sit second in the Primera Division table, a point behind early-season leaders Real Betis.