{
  "id": 1928131,
  "title": "World Cup ad negatively portrayed English - watchdog",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/world-cup-ad-negatively-portrayed-english-watchdog",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-19T12:07:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0819/1588511-advertising-complaints/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) upheld a complaint that an English-focused World Cup advert was negatively portrayed, describing English people as racist and derogatory. The ad, by Paddy Power, depicted English supporters as unlike Japanese ones, who were described as polite, organized, and cleaning up after themselves. The ad appeared on a bus exterior outside an airport, where the complainant saw it while at the airport. The complaint stated the portrayal of England could be offensive, particularly as it was seen on a bus. The Independent Complaints Council agreed that the ad likely caused offense based on nationality and ordered it not to reappear in its current form. However, Paddy Power argued the ad was part of a broader World Cup campaign and should be considered in context. They also pointed out other Paddy Power ads, including one directed at Ireland and Paddy Power, which referenced booking a billboard based on a hypothetical qualification for the World Cup. The council found the England-specific ad was more distinct and negative compared to the other ads. Another complaint was filed against a pharmacy's ad claiming Ireland's cheapest chemist without data. The council found the ad could mislead consumers and ordered it not to reappear. The ads did not include all complaints that were not upheld this month, such as a Cadbury's TV ad about a woman leaving a voicemail for her sister who was living abroad.",
  "summary": "A single complaint that English people were negatively portrayed in a World Cup advert has been upheld by the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland.",
  "key_points": [
    "English-focused World Cup ad portrayed English as racist and derogatory.",
    "Ad by Paddy Power depicted English supporters negatively compared to Japanese.",
    "ASAI upheld complaint, ordered ad not to reappear in current form."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}