Gillette reacts with Gallic shrug to calls for Thierry Henry boycott

by James Quilter, Brand Republic 20-Nov-09, 09:30

LONDON - Calls to boycott Gillette, virals and diplomatic protests are all among the ramifications to come from French football player Thierry Henry's goal-producing assist in his country's World Cup qualifier against Ireland.

Henry has a large collection of outstanding goals, however posterity may well end up remembering his use of the left hand to control the ball before crossing to William Gallas who then scored the winning goal.

The game was poised at 1-1 (on aggregate), with a place in the World Cup finals and millions of euros in revenue at stake.

Although Henry, an ambassador both for Gillette and Unicef, has admitted his error the furore has grown from Irish supporters over the resulting French win.

One consequence was a campaign by Irish fans via social networking sites to call for a boycott of Gillette products.

Regardless of the financial ramifications of this, Gillette-owner Procter & Gamble was forced to deny Henry's actions would affect his £5m deal with the brand.

Irish fans who no longer want to watch football can entertain themselves with 'The Hand of Gaul', a viral launched in the aftermath of the game. The game invites players to play "keepy uppy" with Henry's hand.

Unsurprisingly politicians have also ensured themselves a place on the bandwagon. Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has reportedly raised the issue with his French opposite number Nicolas Sarkozy. Additionally Irish sports minister Martin Cullen has attempted to secure a replay via Fifa.

Henry's transgression has parallels with Diego Maradona's infamous "hand of God" goal against England in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup. Curiously this is more memorable than Maradona's second goal in the game, which was arguably the goal of the tournament.

Comments

RICHARD MATHEWSON - 20/11/2009

What's next, the whole of Ireland boycotting all French brands from Orange to Rizla?

Carla Saunders - 20/11/2009

Ireland would of been knocked out in the 1st round anyway so it's a blessing in disguise really.

John Gallen - 20/11/2009

Hi Richard, so we Irish got a bit miffed over having an opportunity to play in the WC. Yes we did. But the hysteria is nothing as fanatical or ridiculous as the nonsense that followed the Maradonna incident. Pot, kettle, black... What really upsets people is that FIFA got their way. They changed the rules to 'seeding' more than half way through the qualifiers to suit their coffers when they thought Germany, Portugal and / or France might not qualify. And then they purport to push the idea of fair play on the field. It's about money, money, money, tv rights and more eye balls on screens. Nothing to do with fair play.

John Gallen - 20/11/2009

As for boycotting Gillette... I've sported a beard for the last few years :)

Ed Kemp - 20/11/2009

How absurd. Of course they're not going to drop him...

Grilla Login - 20/11/2009

His punishment, along with all the other sporting stars who appear in Gillette stuff, is to transform into a dork. But at 2,000,000 bananas per annum I'd be a hippo crit not to admit, that given the chance, I'd do it too.

John Gallen - 20/11/2009

To get back on point, NO, I do not see Gillette dropping Mr Henry. After all, celebrity endorsements, although sadly shift product, are right up there in the credibility stakes with the likes of celebrity mums competitions.... Katie Price nominated this year. Ya wha? 'Bounty' the parenting club, not the chocolate bar, what are you doing backing this deplorable nonsense? Why do you think the sponsor changes almost every year... because it damages your brand! But, does anyone give a damn so long as it makes money and creates publicity. Double standards are all over the marketing world. Thanks Grilla, it is ALL about money, money, money or bananas in your case.