Champagne scrapped for FA Cup winners

The English Football Association (FA) has removed the traditional Champagne celebrations following the FA Cup final, replacing the fizz with a non-alcoholic substitute.

Image: Wembley Stadium

The decision will come into effect at next month’s FA Cup final between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley Stadium on 18 May.

In a statement provided to Reuters, the FA explained that Champagne had been removed for reasons associated with religion and the age of players within some teams.

The statement read: “Winning teams will be awarded with non-alcoholic ‘Champagne’ for their celebrations in all FA competitions, starting from this year’s Emirates FA Cup Final.

“This is to ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to players and communities who may be prohibited from alcohol, as well as any players who are under 18.”

Despite this, alcohol companies continue to be involved in the industry through sponsorship deals.

In April this year, AB InBev owned beer brand Budweiser announced that it had become the official partner and official beer of the England Women’s Football Team, the Lionesses. Last year, Budweiser replaced Carlsberg as the official beer partnership of the FA.

In October last year, wine merchant Corney & Barrow signed a three-year partnership to supply London’s Fulham Football Club. 

Aberdeen Football Club has its own blended whisky brand which was recently involved in a trademark row, while Chilean wine brand Santa Rita signed a three-year deal with Arsenal back in June 2016. 

Following the European CO2 shortage last summer, which coincided with the World Cup, Carlsberg created ‘beer caviar’ for the football competition which it claimed had a practical purpose: it encouraged fans to drink in moderation.