Ligue 1 McDonald's: Pernod Ricard abandons partnership with Paris Saint-Germain after backlash

"In the face of the strong emotion aroused, Pernod Ricard today announces that it is abandoning its global partnership with Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 McDonald's) to promote its whisky and champagne brands internationally," announced the French spirits producer on 05/09/2024.

Pernod Ricard had signed its partnership with the reigning French champions on 02/09/2024, allowing the group to promote its 240 brands on international markets for four seasons (2024-2028), with the exception of France due to the application of the Évin Law. However, Marseille fans have denounced the agreement between the Parisian club and the group, which was formed in 1975 from the merger of the Pernod and Ricard groups. The latter was founded by Paul Ricard, a native of Marseille, in 1932 in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France.

"I have taken this decision for the group and by listening to those who make it a success, including our employees in France, our customers and our shareholders, first and foremost my family. For more than 90 years, Ricard's history has been intertwined with Marseille, where it…