Carling sponsorship to be removed from children's Old Firm replica tops
Coors has made moves to remove sponsorship on children's replica Old Firm football shirts for next season.
The move comes two years ahead of the Portman Group's ban on branding on child's size replica shirts. Mark Hunter, CEO of Coors Brewers, owner of Carling, said: “Coors and the Old Firm clubs have a long track record in working together to champion responsible drinking. This means ensuring that sponsorship is not improperly targeted at people under legal drinking age – this initiative underlines that aim - and using the combination of one of the UK ’s leading brands and football to promote responsible consumption by adults.
“Beer brands can play a very important role in championing responsible enjoyment of alcohol. It is one thing to make people aware of responsible consumption – the far bigger challenge is to motivate people to follow the advice. Research showed that Carling and the Old Firm managers have had a great impact to getting the sensible drinking message across in Scotland ”.
An SFA Spokesman said: "The Scottish FA supports all measures that promote responsible drinking and a healthier lifestyle for our young people. The Old Firm clubs, their sponsor and the Portman Group are to be congratulated for the action that they are taking."
Carling, brewed by Coors, has sponsored Rangers and Celtic since 2003.