By Muyiwa Adekojede
Following Cristiano Ronaldo and Pogba’s ditch of Coca-Cola for water at Euro 2020 press conference. The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) has however informed teams that they can be fined when their players pull away drinks provided by sponsors at news conferences.
Ronaldo removed two bottles of Coca-Cola and encouraged people to drink water on Monday.
France midfielder Pogba, also did the same on Tuesday, under the guise of a practising Islam.
Another Player, Manuel Locatelli, an Italian player, repeated the same action of Coca-Cola with water on Wednesday.
“Uefa has reminded participating teams that partnerships are integral to the delivery of the tournament and to ensuring the development of football across Europe, including for youth and women,” tournament organisers said on Thursday.
The Uefa’s Euro 2020 tournament director Martin Kallen explained that all players are contractually required to oblige to the federation of the tournament regulations.
Nonetheless, the Director showed his understanding to the actions of players who did the act for religious reasons.
UEFA will not directly fine players. Any sanction therefore, are at the discretion of the national federations (the National team & Association).
“We are never fining players directly from the UEFA side, we will do this always through the participating national association and then they could look if they will go further to the player, but we are not going directly for the moment to the player,” Kallen said.
“We have the regulations signed by the participating federations.”
