Burger King Sorry for 'Clearly Offensive' World Cup Offer

It offered money, free Whoppers to women impregnated by soccer stars
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 21, 2018 9:39 AM CDT
Burger King Sorry for 'Clearly Offensive' World Cup Offer
This 2010 photo shows a Burger King restaurant in Moscow.   (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)

Burger King's offer of lifetime supplies of Whoppers for Russian women came with a catch: They first had to be impregnated by a World Cup player. Now comes the seemingly inevitable apology: "We are sorry about the clearly offensive promotion that the team in Russia launched online," the fast-food giant tells the AP, adding that "we are taking steps to ensure this type of activity does not happen again." Critics were quick to call out the sexist nature of Tuesday's promise to reward women who nab "the best football genes" and "ensure the success of the Russian team for generations to come" after it was posted by an official Burger King Russia social media account.

"Each will receive 3 million rubles ($47,000), and a lifelong supply of Whoppers," the since-deleted post read, per Deadspin, which has a screenshot. "Forward! We believe in you!" It's not the first time Burger King Russia has run into trouble. The Guardian reports it used the likeness of a high-profile teen rape victim as part of a "buy one, get one free" burger offer last year. The AP notes Russian ads "often play on sexist stereotypes." Meanwhile, a 2009 ad produced by Burger King Singapore appeared to mimic oral sex, per Bustle. "It'll Blow Your Mind Away," read the ad for a 7-inch sandwich, shown next to the open mouth of a model, who later said she wasn't told how her images would be used, per the Guardian. (More Burger King stories.)

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