The plug has been pulled on a £42.5million sponsorship deal between Tottenham and the South African government following major outcry in the country.
The three-year-deal, due to start next season, would have seen South Africa Tourism branding feature on various Spurs assets, including training kit and media backdrops.
The proposed outlay from South Africa’s official tourist board was met with widespread criticism in a country currently beset by worsening poverty and power cuts, with daily ‘load shedding’ measures in place in a bid to ration energy.
“This deal, it ends here, today, now, because there is everything wrong about the deal itself,” said Tandi Mahambehlala, the chair of South Africa’s parliamentary tourism committee.
“There must be an investigation on this matter with immediate effect".
A spokesperson for South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa has also indicated that the deal will not be supported, saying that Ramaphosa “did not think spending so much money in the manner that is being suggested will be justified”.
Tottenham have not commented on the matter.
