"Coca-gate": considerable economic stakes

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal coach Fernando Santos at a press conference at Puskas Arena in Budapest on June 14, 2021. Handout via REUTERS - HANDOUT

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The "Coca-gate" made a stir a few days after the gesture noticed by Cristiano Ronaldo during a press conference.

If this affair is causing a stir, it is also because the economic stakes are considerable. 

Publicity

Read more

With more than 540 million subscribers on social networks, Cristiano Ronaldo knows the impact of the messages he sends.

UEFA too and decided after reflection to remind CR7 of its obligations.

As a reminder, the Portuguese striker

had dismissed two bottles of Coca-Cola

placed in front of him during a pre-match press conference on Monday.

The European body affirms that the partnerships are intended to ensure the organization of the Euro and the development of football on the continent.

Especially for youth and women, she says.

In the absence of sanctions, this is therefore a media counter-offensive to prevent other stars from imitating Ronaldo, as the French Paul Pogba did with a bottle of beer and the Italian Locatelli also with that of soda.

Stop the fashion phenomenon that would damage the image of sponsors.

Coca and Heineken - UEFA's biggest partners with contracts worth 67 million euros - remain silent for the moment. 

Some players, like the British Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford, in contract with Coca, decided to oppose the fivefold Golden Ball.

The Ukrainian Yarmolenko, him, decided to laugh about it and in press conference, to launch an appeal of the foot to the brands of drinks: “ 

Call me!

 "

To read also: Interview - Ronaldo and Coca-Cola: "We must take into account the impact of an athlete"

Newsletter

Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Soccer

  • Euro 2021

  • Economy

  • Sports