FIFA lets brewer off the hook over World Cup beer

Hook Norton has said it is not withdrawing its World Cup beer from sale, but will change the wording on the pumpclip to comply with FIFA.

Hook Norton managing director James Clarke has today spoken to a FIFA official, who reassured him the governing body would not take action as long as the reference to the World Cup was removed.

"It was FIFA trademark official calling from South Africa and he said it was not a major problem and actually encouraged us to go ahead with the beer," said Clarke.

Hook Norton's limited edition Striker ale attracted the attention of football's governing body for using the strapline on the pumpclip "Brewed to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2010", as it potentially broke FIFA's strict branding rules.

But Clarke was left mystified after he received no word from FIFA about the beer, until he was forced to contact the organisation himself.

"I'm just relieved this has been resolved in a 10-minute phone call and we can carry on selling the beer," he added.