Property search website Zoopla have announced that they will terminate their sponsorship of Premier League soccer club West Bromwich Albion at the end of the current season, following Nicolas Anelka’s controversial ‘quenelle’ celebration.

Anelka, a former international striker for France, made the gesture, which is associated with anti-Semitism, following his goal against West Ham United in December 2013.

Zoopla is part-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterman and have put pressure on the Midlands club to drop Anelka for their match against Everton last night.

The company’s Head of Communications Lawrence Hall said: “Through our sponsorship of West Bromwich Albion we are pleased to have supported the local community and charities. In recent weeks, however, we have decided to re-evaluate this sponsorship and as a result we will focus our attention on other marketing activities from the end of the season.”

Zoopla has been the main sponsor of the Baggies for the past two seasons and their logo appears on the front of the club’s shirts.

They have reportedly invested over £100,000 to the Albion Foundation and other charities in the local community.

West Brom said in a statement: “West Bromwich Albion has been fully aware since the sponsorship agreement came into force in June 2012 that its partnership with Zoopla could expire this summer and therefore has been planning accordingly.

English car brand Jaguar have announced today they have extended their partnership with leading cycling group, Team Sky.

Jaguar will be developing its association as an ‘Innovation Partner’ with Team Sky through the integration of design and engineering resources to further enhance the team’s performances.

As an Official Partner of Team Sky, the Jaguar brand logo will feature on Team Sky’s race jersey and replica kit for the first time.

Jaguar has supplied technical support vehicles to Team Sky since its inception in 2010, and in 2012 provided a fleet of all-new Jaguar XF Sportbrakes to support the team on the road. 

Sir David Brailsford, Team Principal at Team Sky commented: “Jaguar is a fantastic partner for Team Sky; an iconic British brand with real performance credentials.  In the future we plan to collaborate more closely with Jaguar as a partner in technology innovation. I am sure that Team Sky will benefit from Jaguar’s extensive engineering and technology capabilities.” 

Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director at Jaguar Land Rover commented: “Jaguar’s partnership with Team Sky has been enormously well received by our customers, many of whom share a real passion for cycling. With our shared values of performance and innovation we look forward to working together towards even greater success and more race wins in 2014 and beyond.”

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain have expanded their partnership with Citroen France until 2017.

As an existing partner of the men’s professional team since 2011, the new deal will include the women’s football team and the men’s handball team.

“Extending and developing our partnership with Paris Saint-Germain is a source of great pride. It highlights the common values held by the two brands: passion, ambition and the love of challenge,” explained Philippe Narbeburu director of Citroen France.

For Jean-Claude Blanc, Paris Saint-Germain deputy CEO, “this new signature with Citroën is a demonstration of the confidence in our project and the strength of the Paris Saint-Germain brand. We are delighted to continue working with a leading French brand that has already accompanied us for the last three years.”

The partnership offers great visibility to Citroen, especially at home league matches at the Parc des Princes, thanks to their advertising hoardings pitch side and the Citroen Golden Barre game at half-time that exhibits the company’s vehicles. 

Premier League leaders Arsenal have announced today a new partnership with information and communications technology (ICT) provider, allergy  Huawei.

The Chinese company will become the Official Smartphone Partner of the north London club on a global basis until the end of the 2015/16 season.

The deal will include exclusive offers, anesthetist content and brand presence during Arsenal matches, shop as well as through the Club’s digital and social media platforms. In addition, Huawei will have access to the Club’s extensive marketing database and exclusive match day hospitality for competition winners at Emirates Stadium.

The partnership will be officially unveiled to supporters at Emirates Stadium before the Premier League clash with Fulham on Saturday 18 January 2014. 

Tom Fox, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Huawei to Arsenal as an official partner. This is the first global deal we have signed with a Chinese brand, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the market through pre-season tours and sustained digital fan engagement.

“Huawei is a genuine leader in its field serving more than a third of the world’s population with its information and communications technology. We are delighted to be partnering with Huawei at such an exciting time in the development of its brand globally, and in particular in the UK and Europe.” 

The partnership will see global collaboration between the two brands, with Arsenal FC’s officials and players taking part in Huawei’s communication and promotional activities both in the UK and overseas. 

Mark Mitchinson, Executive Vice President at Huawei Technologies UK, said: “Huawei is delighted to partner with Arsenal, one of the world’s leading football clubs. We are a young, dynamic brand, as well as a technical leader in our field and this makes us a great brand match for a club with the global stature of Arsenal. We look forward to working with all the team at Emirates Stadium over the coming years.” 

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Three-time World Cup winner Pele has now become Emirates‘ global ambassador.

“Emirates is one of the most outstanding brands in global sports today. Having just flown on Emirates’ A380 from Zurich to Dubai, sale I can say from personal experience that it is also an outstanding airline, medstore | ” the former Santos striker said at the function in Dubai on Thursday.

“It would be great if Emirates would fly the A380 to Brazil for the Fifa World Cup! My flight was very comfortable and it was delightful to be onboard with their helpful and friendly staff. And with such an international mix of passengers, Emirates is truly a global airline just like the global game of football. Emirates is a proud supporter of sports around the world, and I am honoured to be its global ambassador.”

It wasn’t the first visit to the UAE for the 73-year-old Brazilian. Pele first came to the country with his legendary Santos team in 1973 to play a friendly match against Dubai’s Al Nasr club.

Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Emirates Airline, welcomed the iconic Brazilian player to the Emirates family. “Pele is a global icon. He is recognised, respected, and an inspiration to people around the world. He represents the best values of ‘the beautiful game’ of football, not only because he was a great player, but also because he uses the power of sports to connect people — with each other, with communities, and with opportunities,” he said.

“In many ways, Pele stands for the same values that Emirates does. He is the ideal global ambassador and we are thrilled that we will be partnering with him.”

TaylorMade have announced it has renewed its commitment with the 2013 US Open Champion Justin Rose through to 2018.

Rose will continue to play 14 TaylorMade clubs; use a TaylorMade golf ball and gloves; and wear Ashworth apparel and footwear – which he has worn since 2012. Rose will also sport a TaylorMade staff bag and hat.

“TaylorMade and I have shared a wonderful history of success throughout my career,” said Rose. “It is a company that prides itself on technology, innovation and delivering the best possible golf equipment. I’m very excited to extend our partnership and look forward to continued success.”

It was 1998 when a 17-year-old Rose announced himself to the golfing world. As an amateur competing in the 127th Open Championship, Rose pitched in on his last hole at Royal Birkdale to claim a 4th place finish. Rose turned professional the same year and first signed with the TaylorMade Golf Company in 1999.

In the years following the dramatic scenes at Birkdale, Rose has proven himself as one of the world’s leading golfers, winning the European Tour Order of Merit in 2007, the 2013 US Open at Merion and reaching No.3 in the World in 2012. 

Major winner Graeme McDowell has extended endorsement deals with Srixon, Cleveland Golf and ECCO clothing.

“I’m thrilled to remain a member of the Srixon and Cleveland Golf family, one I’ve been part of since my college days,” said McDowell on Thursday, who has been with the company since 2011.

“I couldn’t be happier with my current bag and I’m playing some of the best golf of my career. Much of that has to do with their exceptional equipment, coupled with the tremendous support they’ve continually given me,” added the Irish golfer.

“I’m now looking to taking things forward again and accomplishing many of my professional goals over the coming years,” said the Major champion.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled that Graeme has decided to remain a member of Srixon’s PGA Tour staff. Graeme is one of those unique individuals who brings so much to the game of golf,” said Srixon spokesman Todd Harman.

“His passion for competition, combined with his love for the game and respect for the fans, has made him the type of ambassador that any company would be honoured to have on their staff. The fact that Graeme has chosen to remain in the Srixon family says an awful lot in regards to how he feels about our products, as well as our company,” added Harman.

McDowell is also delighted to be continuing his relationship with ECCO clothing: “For a long time on Tour I’ve been wearing the World Class style which is quite traditional and goes great with a pair of classic-looking trousers. But for casual rounds at Lake Nona or even hanging out at Nona Blue it’s been BIOM Hybrid all the way and I may just choose those to go with some new outfits for next season.”

Manchester City have announced a new sponsorship deal with Jaguar Energy Drink UK for the brand to become the first Official UK and Ireland Energy Drink Partner of the club.

The deal is the brand’s first taste of football sponsorship in the UK and will kick-off at the top of the table clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium, health on Monday 3^rd February. 

Fans attending the game will be able to sample the product for the first time, clinic where it will be available throughout the Club’s food and beverage offering. 

This includes the Etihad Stadium’s corporate suites, medical hospitality boxes, stadium concourse kiosks and in BT City Square, the Club’s pre-match fan entertainment zone. 

Following the launch, Jaguar will collaborate on a series of bespoke in-stadium and digital fan activations throughout the remainder of the season. 

Dr Amit Sra, C.E.O at 1SRA LTD, Jaguar Energy Drink U.K said: “As one of the biggest football clubs in the world and one famous for its loyal and passionate fan-base, Manchester City was the only choice for Jaguar Energy Drink. We pride ourselves on the knowledge that once you try Jaguar Energy Drink you will become a fan for life, so we are looking forward to giving supporters their first taste of the brand at home to Chelsea. This is the start of a great journey which will see us roll-out an exciting campaign to City fans.” 

Tom Glick, Chief Commercial and Operating Officer for Manchester City Football Club, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Jaguar on board and are extremely proud to be selected as their first-ever sports partner. We look forward to helping them grow their brand over the coming years and are sure that Jaguar will be a big hit with our fans.”