Cheeky bookmaker Paddy Power were at it again yesterday with their most recent daring stunt, this time poking fun at UEFA’s decision to not select higher capacity venues to host this year’s women’s Euros matches.
Taking place in Manchester during the match between Belgium vs Iceland, the bookmaker inflated and flew a 25-foot balloon over the Manchester City Youth Academy Stadium to the surprise of the sold out, reduced capacity crowd.
The massive inflatable balloon resembled an arrow, carrying the tongue-in-cheek message: “Anyone seen a stadium big enough for a Euros game?”, pointing clearly at the Etihad Stadium in the background.
READ MORE: Euro 2022 shows women's football just as passionate as men's and less volatile
Research conducted by the bookmaker supported the daring stunt, finding that two-thirds (67%) of Brits think the venue selections are a shame or show a lack of respect, with another two-thirds (66%) saying the stadium decisions for the competition will be detrimental to the progression of women’s football.
The Icelandic captain Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir, who was playing in Iceland vs Belgium on Sunday when the giant inflatable popped up at the Academy Stadium, has spoken publicly over her disappointment about the way the stadium selection has been handled.
“It’s shocking” she said, “you’re playing in England, you have so many stadiums, and we have a training ground from City. It’s just embarrassing.”
Spokesperson Paddy Power said: “The women’s game has progressed massively in recent years, and this tournament was a great opportunity for teams to play in front of record crowds all over the country and accelerate that growth.
"Unfortunately, by choosing low-key and lower capacity stadia, in the form of the Academy Stadium and Leigh Sports Village, it gives the impression that those in charge are actually working hard to undermine that progress, something football bosses REALLY don’t want people to point out.
“The fear of empty seats really shouldn’t put the footballing bosses off being more ambitious in their stadium selection - we’re all used to a half-empty Etihad most weeks anyway.”
The UEFA Women’s EURO England 2022 is taking place between 6th-31st July. Host venues include Bramall Lane (Sheffield), Leigh Sports Village (Wigan), Manchester City’s Academy Stadium (Manchester), New York Stadium (Rotherham) and Stadium MK (Milton Keynes).
The inflatable has already popped on social, being shared across high-profile accounts including SPORTbible and Footy.
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