Bendtner's underpants

[Blackpuddin]

UEFA is disciplining self-professed best striker in the world Nicklas Bendtner for displaying his Paddy Power underpants in the Portugal game.

His quote: "I didn't know I was breaking any rules, but I am aware of that now."

Presumably Nickerless never reads his own contracts, because he clearly wouldn't understand all that complicated stuff about sponsorship.

I hope UEFA puts this feeble excuse in the bin where it belongs, relieves him of all his Paddy Power money multiplied by two and gives it to charity, and bans Paddy Power from any involvement in international sport for a considerable time.

[Blackpuddin]

Off the top of my head, because it's tacky and dishonest and a terrible example to young players?
Could probably reel off a few more about ambush advertising but I'm happy to let others have a go.

[Blackpuddin]

Oh come on - 'no proven involvement'? Why has the Danish FA already dealt with him, if that's the case, given that they have a sponsorship deal of their own? If there was no commercial advantage to Bendtner, why would they be disciplining him? Get real!

[Blackpuddin]

Must admit to being surprised that the first response to this was to defend it.

[Blackpuddin]

iphonedyou said:

I'm not saying he wasn't given them by Paddy Power - hell, they're giving them out to their Facebook friends this week - but that blackpuddin can't say definitively that they told him to drop his pants on scoring the goal! Yet is happy to suggest twice his sponsorship money be given to charity, and Paddy Power be shut down. Seriously!?

My first response wasn't to defend it - it was to admonish you for your completely out of proportion reaction

I don't think it is out of proportion tbh. Guys like Bendtner are a massive influence on our youth. Sponsorship has its place as an enabler for sports organisations trying to make a go of things but what's someone like Bendtner doing cashing in on it? It's not as if he's hard up, is it?

[Blackpuddin]

BrabusMog said:

The response does seem a bit, "won't somebody please think of the children!"

Personally, I'd drop it and move on with my life as it has no effect on me.

Mon, I'm really not that sort of person, but I do think certain principles are important.

[Blackpuddin]

iphonedyou said:

But really? I understand you think it's unacceptable - genuinely, and I can see where you're coming from - but is there really any harm in it? Bendter didn't two foot tackle straight into the back of a leg. Or spit on the pitch. Or mouth 'fk' at the referee. Or give the finger to the crowd. All of these things and more happen every day, and I'd argue every one of them sets a worse example to children. I'd also question whether the most impressionable children - the younger ones - will be able to discern the difference between his sponsored boxers and the huge logos on players shirts, and all around the pitch edge

I just don't think showing a pair of sponsored boxers has the negative impact you imagine it does.

Edited by iphonedyou on Friday 15th June 16:36

Different values I guess. To me this is a big issue. Bringing other stuff up is irrelevant, a pure distraction and nothing to do with the central point which is the legitimisation of dodginess, a pervasive and I believe corrosive influence in modern society that I for one am pretty fed up with. Especially when it's motivated by nothing more noble than greed.

[Blackpuddin]

iphonedyou said:

too emotional and reactionary!

Fair comment It does rile me a bit too much maybe.

[Blackpuddin]

I have no problem with fining people according to their means, otherwise where is the deterrent value?
Still feel that Paddy Power should have been punished too. As it is, it's like punishing Adam for biting the apple and leaving the serpent smirking in its tree.

[Blackpuddin]

Steameh said:

Blackpuddin said:

I have no problem with fining people according to their means, otherwise where is the deterrent value?
Still feel that Paddy Power should have been punished too. As it is, it's like punishing Adam for biting the apple and leaving the serpent smirking in its tree.

Yet the Russians got fined only €20k more for their fans kicking the st out of stewards, throwing fireworks on the field and showing illicit banners inciting hatrid.

The problem I have isn't with the punishment itself, but with the complete disparity shown by UEFA in their punishments, how can he get a €100k fine, yet Russian FA still get a €120k fine. Bearing in mind the Russian FA get a reported €13.3 million for their finishing position and participation.

I suppose the view they take is that the Federations are not directly responsible for the actions of their fans, whereas Bendtner most certainly is directly responsible for his choice of underwear.