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Barcelona Qatar Airways sponsorship deal approved in Assembly vote

The one-year extension of Barcelona's sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways and a new 10-year agreement with Nike have been approved by club delegates at the weekend's Ordinary General Assembly.

Qatar Airways replaced Qatar Foundation on Barcelona shirts in 2013, with the original deal expiring at the end of last season.

Barca began the current campaign without a sponsor -- it was reported that they had been negotiating with Amazon -- and agreed to extend their deal with Qatar for another year.

Diario Sport suggested the deal was worth €35 million a year, less than had been hoped for, and the club later confirmed it is actually worth €33.5m.

Delegates ratified the extension in a vote that saw 483 in favour, 251 voted against and 60 abstentions.

Vice-president Manel Arroyo said the outcome gave Barcelona "more time to work and negotiate the sponsorship agreement that the club desires."

He added: "We have to thank [Qatar] for accepting this extension, as they know we are looking for the sponsorship deal the club deserves and have shown their desire to maintain a good relationship with the club.

"They are difficult negotiations [for a new sponsor for next season], with multinational brands and over significant amounts which range between €50m and €65m."

The delegates also approved the renewal and extension of the sponsorship agreement with Nike. The new deal will now run until 2028, with 584 people voting in favour and just 10 against.

Diario Sport reported in the summer that the arrangement with Nike will see the club earn up to €155m a year, more than any other club in Europe.