Czech Brewery Gambrinus Drops Sponsorship Of Country's National Team, FA

A "leading Czech brewery dropped its sponsorship of the country's national team and top-flight competition on Friday," citing reputation risks from the sport's corruption scandals, according to Robert Muller of REUTERS. Czech FA (FACR) Chair Miroslav Pelta resigned earlier this week "after police charged him with abuse of power, breaching fiduciary duties and favoritism in public tenders." He "denied any wrongdoing." The Gambrinus brewery, controlled by Asahi Group Holdings, has sponsored Czech football on all levels since '97. Gambrinus Marketing Manager Marek Dvorak said, "The cases around top football and the long-term unwillingness of the FACR leadership to take substantial steps to improve its reputation are damaging us, too" (REUTERS, 6/9).