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Port Elizabeth - FIFA's trademark iron fist has struck in PE, where a restaurant owner painted a soccer ball on his business's window as part of his World Cup soccer celebrations.
The ball was to go along with the flags of all the participating Soccer World Cup countries which Chris van Heerden had put up in his restaurant, Guido's in Port Elizabeth.
FIFA is now threatening to fine Van Heerden up to R15 000 a day or to send him to prison for 12 months if he does not remove the soccer ball from his window.
Ambush marketing
Van Heerden insists he did not know that putting up the soccer ball was in contravention of the Trademarks Act and FIFA regulations on ambush marketing.
"The soccer ball has been on that window for about ten months. Why did they wait until now?" he wanted to know.
Last week, FIFA officials, metro police and police officers stopped outside his restaurant.
"They said I had to remove the South African flag - which contained smaller flags of other participating countries with the date 2010 on it - from my business because it dishonoured the South African flag. I agreed and immediately removed it."
The notice which he received from the local 2010 co-ordinator for the protection of FIFA rights, said it he was found guilty, he could immediately be given a fine of R10 000 or six months imprisonment or both.
"In the case of a continuing offence (should he not remove the ball) a further fine of not more than R15 000 or 12 months imprisonment could be given for every day of the offence," it continued.
Not informed of restrictions
"I just wonder where FIFA draws the line. There are many businesses that use soccer balls and 2010," said Van Heerden. According to him, no official from the 2010 local organising committee ever came to visit him to inform him of the restrictions.
Van Heerden said due to construction on the road in front of his restaurant, he had recently lost over R100 000.
"My clients can't reach me and I owe a lot of people money. There is no way that I can afford a fine."
National FIFA spokesperson Delia Fischer said they would comment as soon as they had information about the incident.
Port Elizabeth - FIFA's trademark iron fist has struck in PE, where a restaurant owner painted a soccer ball on his business's window as part of his World Cup soccer celebrations.
The ball was to go along with the flags of all the participating Soccer World Cup countries which Chris van Heerden had put up in his restaurant, Guido's in Port Elizabeth.
FIFA is now threatening to fine Van Heerden up to R15 000 a day or to send him to prison for 12 months if he does not remove the soccer ball from his window.
Ambush marketing
Van Heerden insists he did not know that putting up the soccer ball was in contravention of the Trademarks Act and FIFA regulations on ambush marketing.
"The soccer ball has been on that window for about ten months. Why did they wait until now?" he wanted to know.
Last week, FIFA officials, metro police and police officers stopped outside his restaurant.
"They said I had to remove the South African flag - which contained smaller flags of other participating countries with the date 2010 on it - from my business because it dishonoured the South African flag. I agreed and immediately removed it."
The notice which he received from the local 2010 co-ordinator for the protection of FIFA rights, said it he was found guilty, he could immediately be given a fine of R10 000 or six months imprisonment or both.
"In the case of a continuing offence (should he not remove the ball) a further fine of not more than R15 000 or 12 months imprisonment could be given for every day of the offence," it continued.
Not informed of restrictions
"I just wonder where FIFA draws the line. There are many businesses that use soccer balls and 2010," said Van Heerden. According to him, no official from the 2010 local organising committee ever came to visit him to inform him of the restrictions.
Van Heerden said due to construction on the road in front of his restaurant, he had recently lost over R100 000.
"My clients can't reach me and I owe a lot of people money. There is no way that I can afford a fine."
National FIFA spokesperson Delia Fischer said they would comment as soon as they had information about the incident.
