FA says Hooters restaurant must cease sponsorship of under-10s football team

Jimmy Nsubuga
Updated ·2 min read
A general view of Hooters Bar and Restaurant in Nottingham (Photo by Lewis Stickley/PA Images via Getty Images)
Hooters Bar and Restaurant in Nottingham. (Getty)

The FA has said a Hooters restaurant must cease sponsorship of an under-10s football team.

The Nottingham branch of Hooters announced this week on social media it was the proud new sponsor of Burton Joyce FC's children's football team.

Staff from the restaurant, famed for wearing revealing uniforms, even paid a visit to the young footballers and took time to pose for social media pictures with them.

But the Nottinghamshire FA has now stepped in to prevent the partnership from happening, with its senior safeguarding lead Elaine Oram telling the BBC they sent a letter to Burton Joyce FC informing them to cease the sponsorship.

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Waitresses serve food and beverages at the opening celebration of the first Israeli branch of Hooters Restaurants in Netanya, near Tel Aviv November 27, 2007. Picture taken November 27, 2007. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen (ISRAEL)
Staff from Hooters are famed for wearing revealing uniforms. (Reuters)

The Nottinghamshire FA said in a statement: "The County FA had not been approached by the club seeking sanction for the sponsorship and had we have been, the request would have been declined in accordance with FA rules appertaining to the Kit and Advertising Regulations.

"From being made aware of the sponsorship we have been working with the club to reinforce their understanding of the regulations surrounding such sponsorship.

"We understand the difficult climate that grassroots football operates within and urge any club seeking investment from sponsorship that they are fully aware of the regulations or contact us for clarification."

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Kit and Advertising Regulations from the FA do not allow clothing worn by under 18 players to feature a "product, service or other activity which is considered by The Association as detrimental to the welfare, health or general interest of young persons, or is otherwise considered inappropriate, having regard to the age of the players or Match Officials".

Announcing their new sponsorship on social media, Hooters wrote: "Hooters Nottingham are proud to be the new sponsor of Burton Joyce U10s football team.

"We wish you all the luck this season boys. Go smash it."

Yahoo News UK has approached Hooters of Nottingham and Burton Joyce for further comment.