Coca-Cola cancels Ronaldinho sponsorship

 RIO DE JANEIRO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Coca-Cola has canceled a sponsorship deal worth 750,000 US dollars a year with Brazilian star Ronaldinho.

The beverage¹ giant released a statement on Monday confirming its partnership² with the 32-year-old, which began in November last year and was due to continue until 2014, had ended.

"Coca Cola recognizes the career and the value of Ronaldinho," the statement said. "However due to recent developments it has become impossible to continue the partnership."Ronaldinho quit Brazilian outfit³ Flamengo on May 31 and sued the club for 27 million dollars in unpaid⁴ wages, bonuses and moral damages.

It followed a turbulent 18 months at the Rio de Janeiro club in which he was beset⁵ by poor form and controversy⁶.

Following his departure, Flamengo has accused the midfielder of regular late-night partying, binge drinking and a lack of commitment to training.

It is understood Coca Cola was also unhappy that Ronaldinho was surrounded by Pepsi advertising⁷ during a press conference announcing his arrival at Atletico Mineiro.

"That was the last straw for the company but I don't think it was the only reason," ESPM marketing⁸ manager Marcelo Pontes told Estadao.

"He didn't perform up to expectations and his name was associated more with negative than positive news."

1 beverage   

n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料

参考例句：

• The beverage is often colored with caramel.这种饮料常用焦糖染色。
• Beer is a beverage of the remotest time.啤酒是一种最古老的饮料。

2 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

3 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

4 unpaid   

adj.未付款的，无报酬的

参考例句：

• Doctors work excessive unpaid overtime.医生过度加班却无报酬。
• He's doing a month's unpaid work experience with an engineering firm.他正在一家工程公司无偿工作一个月以获得工作经验。

5 beset   

v.镶嵌；困扰，包围

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• The plan was beset with difficulties from the beginning.这项计划自开始就困难重重。

6 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

7 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

8 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。