The FA signed a four-year deal with sticker and trading card company Panini. England completes the Italian company's set of national federations and the team will now appear in Panini collections in its official England kit for the first time since Euro 1996 (FA). ... A new agreement with the Irish Rugby Football Union has seen Aer Lingus "announced as 'the official airline of the Irish rugby team.'" The three-year sponsorship deal will see the world's No. 3 rugby team "flown around Europe by Aer Lingus during the RBS 6 Nations Championship" and other int'l tournaments. The airline is set to "rename one of its aircraft 'Green Spirit' and cover it with IRFU and player branding in a transformation to be unveiled early next month" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 4/30). ... Brasileiro side Flamengo signed a new R$4.5M ($1.5M) sponsorship with Jeep "until the end of the year" (EXTRA, 5/1). ... The Australian Federal Police and Sportradar announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Sydney on Thursday. The partnership underlines efforts to ensure the integrity of Australian sport from organized crime (AFP). ... Scottish Premiership side Celtic launched its home kit for the '15-16 season "at an event at Celtic Park." The shirt "is the first to be released" since the club signed its record deal with U.S. firm New Balance. New Balance replaces Nike after 10 seasons and was described as "potentially the biggest kit deal the club has ever agreed" (STV, 5/4). ... EPL side Stoke City's '15-16 New Balance home and away kits have been officially revealed. For the home kit, the signature red and white stripes have been overlaid with subtle design details. The away kit sees a reemergence of a classic design with a modern makeover (Stoke City).
