Pastis-maker Pernod Ricard scraps sponsorship of PSG after protests in Marseille

French liquor company Pernod Ricard, best known in France for the anise-flavored aperitif pastis, said on Thursday it scrapped a new sponsorship deal with Paris Saint-Germain after protests from Marseille.

Fans of Marseille, the bitter rival of PSG, complained that the drink belongs to their city.

Pernod Ricard said in a statement it ended the global deal announced this week “in the face of the strong emotions aroused."

Marseille has long been associated with the French liqueur called pastis. So when Pernod Ricard announced the new commercial partnership with PSG, it left a bad taste in the mouths of Marseille fans.