UEFA has asked teams and players involved in Euro 2020 to avoid removing sponsored products in press conferences.
Over the course of the last few days, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba have both made the headlines after removing bottles prior to the start of media obligations. Ronaldo took away two bottles of Coca Cola and suggested people should “drink water” instead.
That was followed by Pogba removing a bottle of Heineken before the beginning of a press conference.
UEFA stand by sponsors
It was reported that as a result, when the stock market opened on Monday, Coca-Cola’s shares were worth $56.10 each, but had dropped down to $55.20 (a 1.6% decrease) by the end of Ronaldo’s press conference.
“UEFA has reminded participating teams that partnerships are integral to the delivery of the tournament and to ensuring the development of football across Europe, including for youth and women,” the organisers said.
? @PaulPogba took leaf out of @Cristiano's book! #EURO2020 #FRA pic.twitter.com/aBCIhRngEG
— SPORF (@Sporf) June 16, 2021
“If it is for religious reasons, they don’t need to have a bottle there,” said Kallen, the tournament director.
“We are never fining a player directly from the UEFA side, we do this always through the participating national association and they can look if they go further”.
“We have regulations signed by the participating federations. We have reminded them of their obligations but of course this (fining) is always a possibility,” he said.
The increase in discussion surrounding the ethics of sponsorship deals has prompted quite the debate within the football fanbase.
UEFA has had to deal with backlash in many different departments recently from the Euros themselves to the reformation of the Champions League, with this looking set to be their latest in a long line of headaches.
Featured image credit: Getty
