EasyToys is one of the Netherlands’ largest online sex toy websites
The Dutch football association (KNVB) has put the kibosh on a proposed deal for FC Emmen to gain shirt sponsorship from EasyToys– one of the largest ‘erotic webshops’ in the Benelux region. EasyToys is based in the Groninger town of Veendam, around 40km to the North of Emmen.
As far as the KNVB is concerned, the agreement is in violation of article 3 of its sponsorship regulations. It states, among other things, that sponsorships must conform to the requirements of ‘good taste and decency’, and this includes anything that can be associated with the sex industry. Reference is made to the Dutch Advertising Code Committee in the KNVB’s ruling.
The KNVB, it should be pointed out, is supported by a huge number of sponsors that include ING Bank, the US sports giant Nike, soft drinks company Coca-Cola, and so on.
FC Emmen’s deal with EasyToys would be worth 500,000 euros per year for the next three seasons. The debate will even be brought up in the Dutch parliament today.
FC Emmen Director Eric Idema says, in the clubs response to the news, that he is very disappointed. “There is great misunderstanding on my part. We are considering next steps in close consultation with FC Emmen. For us, the collaboration was a logical choice. We are two successful companies from the same region and feel a strong bond with this club, which, like us, plays at the highest level.”
Image via EasyToys
