We'll take legal action over crisps ad - IRFU
A man stares at the controversial Hunky Dorys billboard in Dublin. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
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LEINSTER have today told Hunky Dorys that "respect" needs to be shown to Irish rugby as the 'Are You Looking At My Crisps?' controversy rumbled on.
With 72 hours to go until the Blues' Heineken Cup semi-final in Toulouse, Leinster rowed firmly in behind the IRFU, who have attacked the billboard campaign, which they say is illegal.
An IRFU spokesperson told the Herald today that it is now pursuing legal action against Hunky Dorys' parent company, Largo Foods.
The controversial ads (pictured right) have been causing a stir for their use of scantily clad models to promote crisps -- however, the main grievance is that they claim to be the 'Proud Sponsors of Irish Rugby'.
CLAIMS
Although Largo Foods claim that their affiliation with the Navan rugby team is the explanation behind their sponsorship claims, the IRFU have issued a legal letter and notified the Advertising Standards Authority.
"We haven't received any form of contact from Largo Foods. We are in the process of taking legal advice and contacting the Advertising Standards Authority," the IRFU spokesperson said.
"Rugby is a family sport and we work with all of our existing and real partners to ensure that their advertising campaigns promote that. We monitor the ad campaigns to ensure that they are responsible and reflect family -- and Hunky Dorys is not an official sponsor."
And Leinster Rugby has weighed in on the war of words by praising the IRFU for handling the Hunky Dory's ad controversy so swiftly.
A spokesperson for Leinster Rugby explained: "Claims such as this would be monitored very closely and I have to credit the IRFU for handling it so swiftly. People spend a lot of money to be associated with the IRFU and they pay money to have the privilege to be associated with them.
"It's important to respect the commercial interest of all commercial partners."
cmcbride@herald.ie
- Caitlin McBride
