BERLIN: German public broadcaster ZDF has fallen offside with football fans over a controversial television advert to promote matches involving the national women’s team at the European Championships in Sweden.
In the 22-second ad to promote Euro 2013, a female footballer is seen juggling a dirty football with her feet before chipping it into a washing machine, which is set on “leather” mode.
Fans in football-mad Germany have taken to the micro-blogging site Twitter to brand the advert “sexist and totally embarrassing”, with one user assessing: “ZDF have scored an own goal with this Euro ad!”
ZDF’s editor Peter Frey defended the advert, by saying: “Advertising is made to be noticed and to generate interest, so this advert was successful.”
While ZDF can also point to their commitment to the women’s game, having shown matches live for a number of years, the advert has not impressed Silvia Neid’s side. AFP
