Football alcohol adverts seen once a minute during the Euros 2016 group stages - The Solihull Observer

Football alcohol adverts seen once a minute during the Euros 2016 group stages

Solihull Editorial 8th Jul, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

THE SPOTLIGHT shone bright on England football fans during the Euros following outbursts of alcohol-fueled and disruptive behaviour – but a study has revealed alcohol adverts played every minute during a group stages game.

Tens of thousands of fans – including supporters under the age of 18 – were swamped with alcohol adverts while they watched England beat Wales on Thursday (June 16).

The charity, Alcohol Concern, shockingly discovered adverts flashed around the pitch on average 78 times during the nation’s head to head game.

Alcohol brand slogans – including Euros Sponsor Carlsberg – managed to worm their way on the pitch despite French laws banning alcohol sponsorship and promotion in the stadium.




Tom Green, a borough football fan who visited Paris to watch Ireland take on Sweden in the group stages on June 13, said alcohol was unavoidable during the Euros.

He told the paper: “Paris was constantly packed with people drinking on the streets and around the Moulin Rouge area in the daytime.


“However, we could only buy 0.5% carlsberg in the stadium.

“We spoke to a lot of Irish and Swedish fans and nobody could believe the fighting that had taken place in France during the Euros.

“All of the Ireland and Sweden fans were drinking together, but we were up singing dancing queen by Abba for most of the match.”

Alcohol Concern campaigner, Tom Smith said association with alcohol in sports is a growing problem.

He added: “The volume of alcohol marketing in sport, especially in football, which is popular with children and younger people, is enormous.

“We already know from our previous research that half of children associate leading beers with football.

“Alcohol marketing drives consumption, particularly in under-18s and sport should be something which inspires active participation and good health, not more drinking.”

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