AC Milan raised more than a few eyebrows with the pre-match ritual they organised ahead of their game against Carpi, with many slamming the promotional stunt.
To the utter surprise of the spectators inside the San Siro and all the television viewers worldwide, actors dressed in AC Milan kits performed the Haka dance before their match against Carpi for the promotion of Nivea, a cosmetics brand with whom they have recently linked up.
Even the advertising boards on the side of the pitch promoted the cosmetics brand and read: “Men, this is your ritual”.
La #Tekitanka finalmente a San Siro! #MilanCarpi #NIVEAMen ???⚫️ pic.twitter.com/6jxbGvuME7
— AC Milan (@acmilan) April 21, 2016
However, this marketing stunt did not go down too well with football fans worldwide, as AC Milan and Nivea received heavy criticism for using an old spiritual ritual dance of New Zealand origin for a marketing gimmick. Here are some reactions to AC Milan’s Haka dance.
Note: haka performed by Milan before game v Carpi was actually a publicity stunt performed by extras.
Milan probably still shocked by it— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) April 21, 2016
WHAT? The #haka used as ad 4 skincare sponsor by actors pretending 2 b AC Milan! Weirder/more offensive than fiction https://t.co/a3jj1PFHwi
— Gina Louise (@GinaKrone) April 22, 2016
First I couldn’t understand why AC Milan players performed the Haka Dance. Then I saw it was about an Ad. It’s a shame for AC Milan.
— s’e | eng (@seoncueng) April 22, 2016
Ac Milan performing the haka highlights eveything that is wrong with football
— James Brennan (@JamesDBrennan95) April 21, 2016
AC Milan need to be deducted a good 30 points if not banned from football permanently after that pre match haka. Sickening.
— Jack Proctor (@Jproctor96) April 21, 2016
AC Milan doing the Haka to promote Nivea. Note to Adam Lallana: Don’t. Even. Think. About. It. #LFC https://t.co/P3UnqipO4n
— Kop Magazine (@TheKopMagazine) April 21, 2016
for some reason AC Milan saw fit to perform a haka before their match overnight. i expect NZ to declare war on Italy https://t.co/xZANcJcKNO
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) April 21, 2016
From Maldini, Baresi, Van Basten and Costacurta to the Nivea Haka… RIP AC Milan. pic.twitter.com/IQ4wACB5ph
— Si (@SmnLlyd5) April 21, 2016
Ac Milan have gone from the best team in the world to performing the Haka for money in just 11 years. Very sad pic.twitter.com/hfHiXkdYtx
— Round The Bend (@ROUNDTHEBEND__) April 21, 2016