French beverages company Pernod Ricard announced on Thursday that it has canceled a planned sponsorship deal with Paris Saint Germain (PSG) after strong opposition from fans of rival club Marseille. The decision follows backlash from Marseille supporters, who threatened to boycott the company due to its association with their city.
The controversy arose shortly after news of the sponsorship surfaced, with Marseille fans expressing anger over the partnership. The anise-flavored drink, which is closely linked to Marseille, led to a significant outcry from the local community. Historical tensions between the two football clubs have often led to restrictions on away fans attending matches between them.
Pernod Ricard’s iconic drink, known for its association with Marseille’s sunny environment, was first commercialized by Paul Ricard, a Marseille native, in 1932. Although Pernod, founded by Henri-Louis Pernod in 1805, merged with Ricard in 1975, it maintains strong ties with Marseille, where it originated.
Despite PSG’s recent success, driven by Qatari investment, Marseille remains the only French club to have won the European Cup/Champions League, with PSG’s closest attempt being a final loss to Bayern Munich four years ago. Marseille’s last significant success was their 1993 European Cup victory, while PSG has dominated French league football over the past decade.
In a statement, CEO Alexandre Ricard explained, “For more than 90 years, the history of Ricard has been intertwined with Marseille, where it was born, grew up and was inspired. And this bond is stronger than anything. So this is a decision which comes from the heart that I’m making today.”
Pernod Ricard’s headquarters are currently located in Paris, but the company’s decision reflects its respect for its historical connections to Marseille.
