Melbourne Victory today announces that it has ended its association with joint Principal Partner, EnergyWatch, after it emerged that co-founder and CEO Ben Polis had made numerous offensive and discriminatory posts on his Facebook page.
Melbourne Victory today announces that it has ended its association with joint Principal Partner, EnergyWatch, after it emerged that co-founder and CEO Ben Polis had made numerous offensive and discriminatory posts on his Facebook page.
EnergyWatch joined Melbourne Victory in September 2011 and its logo featured on the club-s away shirt for the entire 2011/12 Hyundai A-League season.
Melbourne Victory views Mr Polis- comments as totally unacceptable and believes it was left with no choice but to terminate the existing agreement in consideration of its brand, and that of its partners-. The club is proud of its multi-cultural supporter base, engagement with eclectic segments of the community and fostering of equal opportunity within football and would never compromise this.
Chairman Anthony Di Pietro expressed his disappointment over the situation, “It is less than ideal that we find ourselves in this position today, but we take matters like this very seriously.”
“After a thorough investigation and discussions between Board and Management, we felt it in the best interest of the club, partners and members that we make the decision to terminate the agreement with immediate effect.
“We have built this club over the past seven years on a platform of strong values and to hear such remarks and how they have challenged these values, left us with no other option but to cease the partnership with EnergyWatch,” said Di Pietro
Melbourne Victory will make no further comment on the matter.
Should you have been offended by certain comments, please feel free to contact Melbourne Victory Club Chaplain, Father James Grant on 0425 721 962
