The News Minute| November 30, 2014| 2.24 pm IST

Real Madrid football club have dropped the cross on top of the crown in their club crest with an eye on reaching out to the United Arab Emirates.

The current and ten time European champions are one of the traditional powerhouses of club football across the globe and have always looked to reach out to the east. The Spanish giants have had trips to the Far East also with the pre-season trip to Japan after the acquisition of David Beckham sticking out in memory.

On 12th September, Florentino Pérez, the club president announced a three year deal with the National Bank of Abu Dhabi of the U.A.E. He termed the deal as a “strategic alliance with one of the most prestigious institutions in the world”. The event also saw the launch of a special credit card by the bank, one which also doubles up as a Real Madrid Membership card.

The club has taken the step (removing the cross from the crest) only in their associations with the country in an attempt to placate the larger Muslim population of the area. Its traditional rival, Barcelona, already has its roots in the Middle East with its jersey sponsor being Qatar Airways.

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