As part of a (reportedly) £6 million a year sponsorship partnership, automotive manufacturer Vauxhall is allowed to have its logo emblazoned across all of England’s kit except that which is worn during matches, (sponsorship of this kind is banned by UEFA). The sponsorship deal also included Vauxhall production line staff appearing in a commercial alongside England stars such as Steven Gerrard and Joe Hart.
Yet the decision has been made to not allow Vauxhall’s factory staff at its Luton and Ellesmere Port plants to watch England’s clash tonight with Sweden. Workers had previously asked permission to have televisions set-up in order to keep with the action as it happens, but the request has been denied.
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The ban, which has been in place since the start of the Euro 2012 final tournament, has previously stopped workers from seeing England’s first group game against France last week, a game they went on to draw 1-1.
Plant workers told national newspaper, The Sun that “our company is the main sponsor for England and yet when it comes to matches, we aren’t even allowed to watch. We work hard for the company. We’re gutted.” Another worked described proceedings as scoring “on own goal.”
Vauxhall made the statement:
“Strict health and safety regulations do not permit employees working on the production line to be distracted by matches shown on screen. And lines cannot simply be stopped to accommodate match times.”
Plant workers told national newspaper, The Sun that “our company is the main sponsor for England and yet when it comes to matches, we aren’t even allowed to watch. We work hard for the company. We’re gutted.” Another worked described proceedings as scoring “on own goal.”
Vauxhall aren’t the only automotive giant to forbid watching the match, with a similar ban reportedly in place by Nissan at its Sunderland plant.
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