AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS A CRIME TO STAND UP

The International Cricket Council's desire to stamp out ambush marketing at the Cricket World Cup has again been shown after a spectator was evicted from a stadium for opening a can of Coca-Cola.

Cricket authorities have banned soft drinks other than Pepsi, which is one of the official sponsors, from stadiums during the 14-nation, six-week event in an attempt to deny rival brands the opportunity to implement ambush marketing strategies.

Arthur Williamson, a Johannesburg businessman, stated security officials "manhandled'' him out of the stadium after he started drinking the can of Coca-Cola. Williamson, who attended the match with his wife and son, said he wasn't aware of the restrictions. He was later allowed back into the stadium.

Cricket World Cup communications head Rodney Hartman stated that the restrictions, which were printed on the back of all match tickets, were necessary to protect the interests of sponsors.

Subscribe to the Red Issue magazine on-line:

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/Pages/moreinfoa.asp?RecordID=GDBGJI&CompanyID=880

Telephone Orders:

Phone: 0870 8720200 quoting Product Ref: 1065/631698

Lines open Monday to Friday 09-00 to 17-30 hrs