The A-League has dropped a ban on clubs being sponsored by alcohol brands, prompting accusations from health experts that it is more interested in money than principles.

Football Federation Australia had banned clubs from signing sponsorship deals that conflicted with its support from the Australian National Preventive Health Agency. But when the Abbott government stripped the agency of funding in the May budget clubs were freed up to fill the gap with companies that were previously barred.

David Gallop, CEO of Football Federation Australia. The peak body has reversed its ban on alcohol sponsorship. Credit:Edwina Pickles

Two clubs have since signed alcohol sponsorship deals understood to be worth more than $250,000 - reigning premiers Brisbane Roar with Lion's Hahn Super Dry and Wellington Phoenix with Danish beer company Carlsberg.

The shift comes little more than a year after the A-League was part of an anti-binge-drinking campaign with other sports that refused alcohol sponsorship, during which a "strong enough to say enough" video on screens during A-League games.