Real Madrid have removed the cross from their badge after signing deal with Abu Dhabi bank

One of the most famous badges in world football is set to go through something of a transformation as the cross that sits atop the crown on Real Madrid's crest is going to be removed.

The decision has been made by the club to appease their new sponsors, the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and to avoid offending Muslim sensibilities in the United Arab Emirates according to Spanish newspaper Marca. The lucrative three-year deal with the bank has been described by club president Florentino Perez as a "strategic alliance with one of the most prestigious institutions in the world." Perez has stressed the importance of marketing the club in the UAE recently. He said: "I know that the local people experience every match in a special way and that our links with the UAE are constantly growing stronger." "This agreement will help the club to keep conquering the hearts of followers in the United Arab Emirates.” The logo that we all know and love, complete with the miniature Christian cross, will still be used in Europe but as we can see from this credit card which will be used as one of the flagship marketing tools, the cross will not appear in the club's promotion push in the UAE. [caption id="attachment_3724" align="alignnone" width="367"] Picture - Real Madrid[/caption]