Russian federation want beer ads back at venues

Published: 06 Dec 2011 - 10:16:57

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Russian federation want beer ads back at venues

Russian Football Union (RFU) chief Sergei Fursenko said Tuesday he plans to lobby the state parliament (Duma) in a bid to amend or overturn a law which bans beer advertising at football venues.

"I have repeatedly said that football's sources of financing are very limited and beer advertising is one channel that allows us to boost the revenues of clubs," the RFU chief said.

"But Russia's existing legislation has a blanket ban on beer advertising at football venues, thus preventing the clubs and the league from receiving extra funding.

"However, we will have to declare a moratorium on this law in 2018 to fit the FIFA demands for the World Cup hosting country. So, for me the changes to this law look inevitable."

FIFA currently has its own beer sponsor, meaning the Russians -- who will host the 2018 World Cup -- will have to amend or suspend the law banning beer advertising.

Fursenko added that he would also call the country's lawmakers to allow beer sales at football stadiums, a move that would boost club coffers between five and 15 million dollars annually.

"This will be a serious supplement to the clubs' budgets," said Fursenko, who claims that promoting beer will not lead to a general increase in alcohol consumption.

"Reliable statistical data state that beer advertising doesn't increase alcohol consumption in general, it simply has a redistribution effect at market level."