Global site navigation

Local editions

Pernod can PSG sponsorship deal after Marseille protests
Economy

Pernod can PSG sponsorship deal after Marseille protests

by  AFP 2 min read
A glass of pastis is as much associated with Marseille as the port city's Notre Dame basilica
A glass of pastis is as much associated with Marseille as the port city's Notre Dame basilica. Photo: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP
Source: AFP

Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!

French drinks firm Pernod Ricard said Thursday it has scrapped a proposed sponsorship deal with soccer giants Paris Saint Germain after fans of bitter rivals Marseille threatened a boycott.

Days after news of the tie-up surfaced, furious Marseille fans protested: the aniseed-flavoured beverage is closely linked to their southern port city and a storm of criticism erupted.

There is a deep-seated enmity between fans of both clubs which has in the past seen bans on away fans of either side attending games between two of the biggest outfits in the French game.

The iconic drink is popular nationwide but is especially associated with sun-kissed balconies against a balmy Marseille Mediterranean backdrop while it was commercialised eponymously by city native Paul Ricard in 1932.

Henri-Louis Pernod had founded Pernod in 1805 but the pair merged in 1975 and has since become a major industry player.

Read also

Emmanuel Emenike shows off completed hospital in Owerri, flaunts expensive medical facility

Pernod Ricard’s headquarters these days are actually in Paris but after Marseille fans protested the company conceded defeat.

PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through info@corp.legit.ng!

"For more than 90 years, the history of Ricard has been intertwined with Marseille, where it was born, grew up and was inspired. And this bond is stronger than anything. So this is a decision which comes from the heart that I'm making today," CEO Alexandre Ricard explained in a statement.

Long-standing rivals Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain are competing for more than the ball these days
Long-standing rivals Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain are competing for more than the ball these days. Photo: NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP/File
Source: AFP

Despite PSG's recent Qatari cash-fuelled rise to the top of the domestic game, it is Marseille who remain the only French side to have won the European Cup/Champions League -- the closest PSG having come was when they lost the final four years ago to Bayern Munich.

Marseille have struggled in recent years to return to the glory years which peaked with their 1993 triumph as PSG have racked up a string of league titles over the past decade.

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.

Hot: