FIFA are well-known for wanting to keep their brand out in the open at the World Cup, but some of their restrictions are extreme to say the least.
We have seen stadiums like the Estadio Azteca renamed to the Mexico City stadium and the MetLife stadium to the New York/New Jersey stadium for the duration of the tournament.
Now, in the latest development, even condiment items are getting the same treatment.
Condiment items have their brands ‘taped over’
Given the prices of food and drink at the World Cup, the least you would hope for is to see what brand it is that you’re using.
However, an image of the media room posted by San Francisco Standard writer Kevin Nguyen showed that there is no chance of you knowing what brand you would be using.
Every condiment inside the room was covered with black tape, hiding brands like Heinz.
To make matters worse, the items inside the media room aren’t even free of charge, with one journalist revealing the extortionate price they paid for food and drink during a game.
Why do FIFA change the names of stadiums at the World Cup?
FIFA do not allow sponsors that are not officially affiliated with the governing body or the World Cup throughout the tournament.
This is standard protocol for all tournaments held by FIFA. Only two stadiums, in Atlanta and Vancouver, have been granted an exception to the rules.
Atlanta Stadium is allowed to display the Mercedes-Benz logo after organisers couldn’t find a way to safely remove or cover the logo without damaging the roof.
Meanwhile, the BC Place stadium in Vancouver is publicly owned by the province of British Columbia and doesn’t have a naming rights deal with a sponsor.
