PLAY THE ADVANTAGE

Have you noticed that weird-ass board the fourth officials are holding up to note substitutions and added time?

Well, that’s the biggest piece of product placement you’ll ever see.

Yes, luxury watch maker Hublot bought the game board. Not only does it say ‘HUBLOT’ in giant letters, as it has in the past, but it’s actually shaped like the original Hublot watch. I must say, it does look quite heavy and unwieldy for the poor fourth officials who have to hold it up.

They even got English referee Howard Webb to appear in ads introducing the board. (To be fair, I believe Webb already has a relationship with the watchmaker.)

I guess you have to pay for all that bright new finished infrastructure somehow.

Oh. Wait…