Bookmakers Paddy Power has caused quite a stir with its latest advertisement campaign. A lorry was sent to the French port of Calais, poking fun at the migrant crisis. On the side of the lorry “Immigrants, jump in the back! (but only if you’re good at sport)” was written in huge letters.
The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland said it was investigating a number of complaints over the advertisement. The ASAI has said that the advert was in breach of the advertising code on three counts, one about not causing general offence; one about not being offensive on grounds including race and one about seeking to be sensitive about diversity.
The truck’s trailer featured images of Jamaican-born English footballer Raheem Sterling, athlete Mo Farah (Somalia); rugby player Manu Tuilagi (Samoa), cricket player Eoin Morgan (Ireland) and Scottish tennis player Andy Murray.
This is not the first time that Paddy Power have been criticised for their advertisement campaigns. In July Roy Keane announced that he intended to sue Paddy Power for their depiction of him as William Wallace with the slogan: “You may take our points, but at least we have our freedom”. The advert poked fun at Scotland’s No vote in the independence referendum and was unveiled before an Ireland vs Scotland international.