Spain: Federation bans substitutes benches specifically designated for sponsorship activations

Substitute benches designated for additional key sponsorship activations during Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante matches have now been banned, the RFEF announced via a memo on 10/09/2015.

These designated spaces have been installed in several Spanish stadiums to offer "money can't buy" experiences to fans and different sponsorship clients. The Caixa bank used a particular five-seater bench, located beside the pitch at the Mestalla stadium, to activate its partnership with Valencia CF. The bank had hoped to develop this concept with all its partner clubs: Club Atletico de Madrid, Sevilla FC, Malaga CF, UD Almeria and Real Zaragoza. The beer brand Mahou had also allowed several fans to win via a contest, places on a touchline bench during an Atletico Madrid match in 2014-15.

The reasons for the ban were not provided by the RFEF, but it could be due to security issues, according to Spanish media.

The VIP Caixa Bank bench at the Mestalla stadium of Valencia CF