Barcelona consider ending Qatar sponsorship deal due to 'social issues'

Barcelona are considering ending their shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar.

The Catalan club are looking at cutting their ties with the Gulf state due to a change in the "social and political situation" in the nation.

Barca began a five-year agreement with Qatar Sports Investment worth around £125million in 2011 - leading to the Qatar Foundation and then the Qatar Airways logos appearing on the front of the club's shirts - but that is due to come to an end in 2016.

Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu says Barca are happy with their sponsors but are reviewing their options, saying the club are not "insensitive" to current affairs in the Gulf state that will host the 2022 World Cup.

He told Catalan radio station RAC 1: "Qatar is an issue where we are looking at other options. Their contract finishes in 2016 and then it could be them or another.

"We're not insensitive to the current situation in Qatar, because now there are social and political issues that there weren't in 2010 and we're sensitive to them.

"As a sponsor we're happy and they make a contribution to the club, but we are also looking at other options. It wasn't a bad idea. Qatar have helped us improve the club economically."