Guinness has dropped a number of rugby sponsorship adverts in Ireland after complaints that they could cause “offence or confusion” to immigrants. The world-famous dry stout company, which is a sponsor and the official beer of the Six Nations rugby tournament, apologised for any “offence or confusion” caused by the billboards, which read: “You Don’t Pick A Side. Your Grandparents Have Done That Already.” Guinness announced it would remove the adverts, which were placed around Dublin ahead of Ireland’s rugby match against England, following outcry from the Immigrant Council of Europe, which complained that the campaign “doesn’t celebrate the strength of the Irish team (& wider society) or the huge benefit our diversity brings”. Interesting #6nations advert from Guinness. Guess they never heard of Stander, Aki or Tuilagi. I'm sure their families and thousands of other immigrants (and their kids) will be cheering on their countries this weekend. pic.twitter.com/G5oqqqGdhu — Mark Tighe (@marktigheST) February 1, 2019 Commenting that “Irish society is richer in its diversity,” chief executive of the taxpayer-funded NGO, Brian Killoran, added the slogan seemed like “a misstep in Guinness’ advertising”. A spokesman for drinks company Diageo, which owns Guinness, said the campaign “was meant to show the
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