LOC18:45
15:45 GMT
BRUSSELS, June 12 (KUNA) -- The European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare) Thursday expressed disappointment over the Brazilian government's decision to abandon its ban on alcohol in sport stadiums.
Alcohol producers were one of the big sponsors of the UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland, two years ago, and Eurocare had urged policy makers and UEFA to change their attitudes to sponsorships from the alcohol industry.
"Not much has changed, and for the World Cup 2014,. Today (12 June 2014), at the opening of the World Cup, alcohol producers are clearly visible as sponsor for the World Cup 2014," said the Brussels-based NGO in a press release.
Mariann Skar, the Secretary General of Eurocare, said "football should not be a branding and marketing exercise, but about the joy of football and competition."
"FIFA's medical vision is "to improve everyone's health through football and science, and if they really want to achieve this, they should look into who they have as sponsors.
Alcohol producers should not be a partner for a sport arrangement, and the marketing techniques must be regulated. A good example of this is France, where alcohol sport sponsorship is banned," she added.
Eurocare is an alliance of non-governmental and public health organisations with around 55 member organisations across 24 European countries advocating the prevention and reduction of alcohol related harm in Europe. (end)
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