Wayne Rooney Sex Scandal Causes Coca-Cola to Stop Using His Image

Filed under: English Premier League, England

Wayne Rooney's image will not be used on Coca-Cola cans or bottles following last month's allegations regarding the English striker's private life, the company announced Monday. It was reported in early September that he allegedly cheated on his then-pregnant wife with a prostitute.

"Last month we amended our marketing plans on Coke Zero," Coca-Cola said in a statement. "Given the situation at that time we did not feel it was appropriate to run an on-pack promotion featuring Wayne Rooney."

Though Rooney, who plays for Manchester United in the English Premier League, will no longer have his image featured on the Coke Zero drink he was promoting for the company, Coca-Cola announced it will still use him in other forms of promotion.

Rooney has been endorsing Coca-Cola since 2007. His contract with the world's largest soft-drink maker reportedly is reportedly more than $792,000 per year.

Monday's announcement is the latest blow to Rooney's disastrous season, during which his private struggles have transferred onto the field. After the allegations emerged in September, United coach Alex Ferguson did not take Rooney to play his former club, Everton, in fear that he would receive abuse from fans.

 

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