Source: AFP
French drinks company Pernod Ricard said on Thursday it had 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 broke, furious Marseille fans protested: the anise-flavored drink is closely associated with their southern port city and sparked a storm of criticism.
There is a deep-rooted animosity between fans of both clubs, which has previously seen away fans from either side banned from attending matches between two of the biggest sides in the French game.
The iconic drink is popular nationally, but is particularly associated with sunny balconies in a serene Mediterranean setting in Marseille, and was eponymously commercialized by the city’s native Paul Ricard in 1932.
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Henri-Louis Pernod had founded Pernod in 1805, but the pair merged in 1975 and have since become a major player in the industry.
Pernod Ricard’s headquarters these days are actually in Paris, but after protests from Marseille fans, the company conceded defeat.
“For more than 90 years, the history of Ricard has been intertwined with Marseille, where he was born, raised and inspired. And this bond is stronger than anything else. Therefore, this is a decision that comes from the heart that I am making today” , CEO Alexandre Ricard explained in a statement.
Source: AFP
Despite PSG’s recent rise to the top of the domestic competition with cash, Marseille are the only French side to have won the European Cup/Champions League — the closest PSG came was when they lost the final four years ago to Bayern Munich.
Marseille have struggled in recent years to return to the glory years that culminated in their 1993 triumph, as PSG have won a string of league titles over the past decade.
Source: AFP
