World Cup Burger King’s ad withdrawn

Burger King withdraws sexist advertising from the World Cup and apologizes to Russia

The fast food chain US Burger King apologized today  for spreading sexist advertising in which it  proposed free burgers for life to Russian women who "get pregnant fby football starsl" during the World Cup, with the aim of "ensuring good genes for future generations of Russian players."

"Burger King offers a reward to women who become pregnant by football stars. Each of them will receive three million rubles (about $43,000) and free hamburgers for life’’  said the advertisement of the American chain.  This was posted on the Russian social network VKontakte, a Facebook competition.

"Women who manage to get the best genes from football players will ensure Russia’s success for future generations. Come on, we believe in you! ", claimed the advertisement.

"We apologize for our statement. It is very hurtful, "said Burger King, removing the clip that generated huge controversy in social networks and the international press.

This publicity was intended to be a humorous response to the controversial statements made last week by the communist deputy Tamara Pletneva, who heads the Family Committee of the Duma (parliamentary lower chamber).

The 70-year-old deputy asked Russian girls not to sleep with foreigners arriving to watch the World Cup, avoiding  the risk of becoming single mothers, which also caused harsh responses in social networks.

However, the Kremlin spokesman, Dimitri Peskov, contradicted her by explaining that Russian women will "decide for themselves".