Arsenal assisting fraud investigation at Chinese car manufacturer sponsor

Premier League football club Arsenal is understood to be assisting a Chinese investigation into carmaker BYD, whom the club entered into a sponsorship deal with in April.

Shanghai police have arrested a woman on suspicion of contract fraud and faking company seals according to BYD, one of China’s biggest car manufacturers and a producer of electric vehicles.

"BYD has informed Arsenal that they believe they have been the victim of a fraud in relation to various advertising agreements," a statement on Arsenal’s Chinese website said.

The Shenzen-based company said the woman had been posing as the marketing manager of its Shanghai branch and had signed multiple contracts with advertising agencies to promote the company.

It added that the woman had never been an employee of the company, nor been given authorisation to conduct business in its name.

The sponsorship deal between the two parties gives BYD pitch-side LED signage, branding on dugout seats at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and access to Arsenal Legends for promotional events in China.

The club has not indicated whether recent events will impact the sponsorship deal.