Liverpool FC sponsor Garuda considers cutting ties with Reds

Southeast Asian airline Garuda Indonesia could be planning to terminate its sponsorship deal with Liverpool FC.

The CEO of the carrier, Arif Wibowo, is reported to have confirmed the company is evaluating the deal’s effectiveness.

According to Indonesian magazine Tempo, he said: “We will see within a month or two.”

The yearly value of the sponsorship, Arif has said, amounts to $9m (around £6.17m).

While the deal was struck to enhance brand awareness, Arif has hinted at seeking other means to strengthen the Garuda Indonesia brand.

He added: “Singapore Airlines managed to do it without sponsoring [a] football club.”

The Reds first announced the agreement with Garuda Indonesia in January 2015, following it up with a number of other deals with Asian companies, including a two-year agreement with Singapore-based insurance co-operative NTUC Income and an extended deal with China-based video service provider PPTV.

Tempo further reported that Arif will be prepared to change Garuda Indonesia’s business strategies if the sponsorship deal with Liverpool does not yield results.

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