Wednesday Jan 22, 2025. 15:00
Le Coq Sportif’s sponsorship deals with Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana are not in jeopardy despite the French company filing for bankruptcy.
The apparel manufacturer, which is based in Anthem, has been placed in a six-month observation period in Paris due to outstanding payments.
Le Coq Sportif reached an agreement with the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) in 2020 to sponsor both the men’s and women’s national teams until 2026.
However, the sales director of the South African division, Roger Noades, insists the deal with SAFA will not be impacted nor with Betway Premiership side Stellenbosch, who are also sponsored by “The Athletic Rooster”.
“You have to understand French law, [where] if you say they’re bankrupt their chapter 11 is something very different. South Africans don’t understand [the French] chapter 11, but it is similar to restructuring a business,” Noades told TimesLIVE.
“Pre-COVID-19 I think the French office went out and spent millions of euros on the Olympic Games and brought fantastic coverage for the French flag. Then they had French rugby, but I think, yes, there were some outstanding payments to people.
“I think at the end of January they will have another important meeting and another one at the end of February.
“Don’t get me confused with the trouble the French are going through because I’ve got 53 retail shops in South Africa and in November and December I was 40 per cent up on sales. So, I’m happy.
“Everything is 100 per cent [with the deal with SAFA]. Not just SAFA, but also with Stellenbosch FC. Everything is hunky-dory.”
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