A Johannesburg businessman has laid charges against overzealous security guards who manhandled him out of a cricket stadium during the ICC Cricket World Cup because he had a six-pack of Coca-Colas.
Arthur Williamson took umbrage at the fact that he was frog marched out of the Centurian Stadium near Pretoria, when he declined to give up three remaining cans of Coca-Cola.
Pepsi Cola have bought exclusive pouring rights to the six-week event in South Africa, which has seen tight legislation introduced to prevent any form of ambush advertising during the competition. This includes fans wearing or displaying any opposition brands being threatened with expulsion from stadiums.
The incident happened when Williamson attended the recent Australia-India match with his wife and son with the Cokes in a small cooler bag.
Having opened three cans they were told by a security officer to hand over their Cokes.
Williamson said he declined in the nicest possible way, but things spiralled out of control and he found himself being grabbed under the arms and marched out of the stadium.
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“I was unaware of all this fuss, I’m not partisan towards either brand. We were eventually allowed back into the stadium to watch the rest of the match, with six Pepsi Colas, but the more I thought about it the angrier I became. Afterwards I took legal advice and laid charges with the police because I had not done anything wrong,” he said.
