Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has advised the Tourism board to halt the R900 million sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur. Image via Twitter/@Tourism_gov_za
Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has advised the Tourism board to halt the R900 million sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has advised the Tourism board to halt the R900 million sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur. Image via Twitter/@Tourism_gov_za
Newly appointed tourism minister Patricia de Lille has advised the South African Tourism board to halt all processes regarding the R900 million sponsorship deal with English football club Tottenham Hotspur.
She said the deal was in contravention of section 27 of the constitution, section 53 of the Public Finance Management Act.
De Lille also said the deal was not budgeted for.
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“After my appointment, I immediately sought and obtained legal advice regarding the Tottenham matter. In terms of that advice, there are three reasons why the Tottenham sponsorship is unlawful and invalid,” said De Lille.
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Late last year, South African Tourism (SA Tourism) was reportedly planning to spend US$52 million (about R900 million) to sponsor UK football team Tottenham Hotspur over three years.
The proposal gives the country branding on the club’s kit, backdrop branding in interviews, advertising on match days, partnership status, local training camps and access to tickets and stadium hospitality.
However, the deal received negative reaction from South Africans.
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