Real Madrid logo won't feature Christian cross in Middle East clothing deal

Marka MARKA.DU, a retailing group in the United Arab Emirates, has been granted exclusive rights to "manufacture, distribute and sell Real Madrid products" in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

But Marka Vice Chairman Khaled al-Mheiri told Reuters by phone Real Madrid has two versions of the crest for the Middle East market and that Marka would use the one without the Christian cross due to cultural sensitivities.

"We have to be sensitive towards other parts of the Gulf that are quite sensitive to products that hold the cross," said al-Mheiri, who owns a Real Madrid cafe in Dubai.

The six Gulf Arab countries where Marka will sell and distribute Real Madrid products are all Muslim-majority.

The redesigning of the crest would require only a minor change. The original features a very small Christian cross at the top of a crown on the crest.

The agreement allows Marka to sell clothing such as t-shirts, polo shirts and swim wear featuring the Real Madrid name and crest. Sales will start by March, al-Mheiri said.

The deal does not cover replica jerseys, which are sold in Dubai featuring the cross.

Real Madrid did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

But it is not the first time the symbol has been altered.

In 2014, Real Madrid removed the Christian cross from its crest when used by its sponsor the National Bank of Abu Dhabi NBAD.AD.

Dubai-based airline Emirates [EMIRA.UL] is Real Madrid's main shirt sponsor, whilst the club is also sponsored by Abu Dhabi investment fund IPIC [INPTV.UL].

(Additional reporting by Richard Martin Editing by Jeremy Gaunt/Ruth Pitchford)