HARRY Kane did not move the Coca-Cola bottles placed in front of him during a pre-match press conference after Cristiano Ronaldo’s outburst saw the firm lose $4billion in value.
The England captain answered questions from reporters alongside boss Gareth Southgate ahead of England’s match with Scotland tonight.
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The club’s manager defended the use of sponsors and product placement as they can be beneficial for football, for example in providing sports facilities.
Southgate said: “I think there are lots of sponsors in sport and the impact of their money at all levels helps sport to function, particularly grassroots sport in our country requires investment and without some of those companies it would be very difficult to have the facilities we need.
“We’re mindful in our country of obesity and health but everything can be done in moderation, and anything that is done in moderation is rarely a problem.
“I understand the concerns that people have. Obviously the two guys [Ronaldo and Pogba] have different rationale to the stances they took but there’s always a bigger picture.”
FOCUSED ON MATCH
Kane added: “I totally agree. Obviously the sponsors are entitled to what they want if they’ve paid the money to do so.
“It’s not something I’ve thought too much about.
“I’ve seen it go round on social media but if I’m totally honest I’m more focused on tomorrow [England’s match vs Scotland] than anything like that.”
After Cristiano Ronaldo removed a Coca-Cola bottle at a Euro 2020 news conference, UEFA told teams they have contractual obligations towards tournament sponsors.
Organisers for Euro 2020 said: “UEFA has reminded participating teams that partnerships are integral to the delivery of the tournament and to ensuring the development of football across Europe, including for youth and women.”
The Portugal captain – who scored two late goals in a 3-0 win against Hungary – had told the watching world to ‘Drink Water!’ as he sat down to speak to the media.
The Juventus forward removed two bottles of the fizzy drink from the desk in front of him during his pre-match press conference ahead of their opening game win.
Coca-Cola’s share price promptly dropped from $56.10 (£39.80) to $55.22 (£39.19).
At one point during the day 1.6 per cent of the company’s value had been wiped off – meaning the market value of Coca-Cola went from $242bn to $238bn – a drop of $4bn (£2.84bn).
There was a late recovery, with the price back up to $55.44 (£39.38) at closing.
UEFA has since issued a statement in response to CR7’s actions, saying “everyone is entitled to their drink preferences” and that everyone has different “tastes and needs”.
A spokesperson added: “Players are offered water, alongside Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, on arrival at our press conferences.”
And Ronaldo’s stunt has already seen copycat moves from other Euro 2020 stars.
On Tuesday, devout Muslim Paul Pogba removed a beer bottle during his press conference following France’s 1-0 win against Germany.
And on Wednesday, two-goal Italy hero Manuel Locatelli also removed Coca Cola bottles from his press conference.
Ronaldo, 36, has a famously strict diet and avoids sugary foods, eating clean up to six times a day to maintain his incredible physique while he ages – although he has advertised junk food, including Coke, in the past.
While still at Real Madrid, the club doctor said he had the body of a player ten years younger and could continue playing at the top level into his 40s.
While the drinks company were trying to save face on Tuesday, Ronaldo was his typical self on the pitch against Hungary.
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He expressed rage at team-mate Diogo Jota before playing a vital role in securing three points in the second half at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.
Raphael Guerreiro gave Portugal the lead before a Ronaldo penalty and another close-range effort in injury time wrapped up an impressive 3-0 win.
The goals mean Ronaldo is now the record scorer in European Championship history with 11, two ahead of French legend Michel Platini.
He has now scored in five different European Championships, more than Poland have managed, taking his international record to 106 goals in 176 games.
