888 terminates Luis Suarez sponsorship deal
Operator cancels agreement with Uruguay striker following World Cup biting incident
888 has this morning announced the termination of its sponsorship deal with Luis Suarez after the Uruguay striker was found guilty of biting an opponent during a World Cup match.
Suarez, who signed a deal to become a global ambassador for 888poker in May, has been dropped by the operator with immediate effect with the decision coming shortly after football governing body FIFA gave its verdict.
The controversial incident, which saw Suarez bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder during Tuesday night’s group game match, immediately saw 888 place the sponsorship deal under “serious review” due to concerns the association could tarnish its image of fair play.
And earlier today the operator confirmed it had reached the decision that Suarez would no longer form part of 888Poker’s marketing strategy.
“888poker signed Luis Suarez following a fantastic season for which his achievements were widely recognized,” an 888 spokesperson said.
“Regrettably, following his actions during Uruguay’s World Cup match against Italy on Tuesday, 888poker has decided to terminate its relationship with Luis Suarez with immediate effect.”
Suarez is no stranger to controversy with the player having already served two domestic bans for biting opposition players when playing for Liverpool and for previous club Ajax. The striker was also found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
888Poker currently has a cluster of brand ambassadors including former Australia cricketer Shane Warne and professional poker player Sofia Lövgren.