Wembley name move branded 'tacky'

Wembley has lain empty since October 2000

Proposals to sell the name of the new Wembley Stadium project to sponsors have come under fire.

Government ministers are considering the move in an attempt to raise money for the controversial project.

It could lead to the stadium being linked to a commercial product, such as a brand of beer, or fast-food chain.

But the Football Supporters' Association (FSA) has described the idea as "tacky".

The Wembley project itself is currently on hold while a Government committee chaired by Home Secretary Jack Straw reviews the plans.

Magical name

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSA, said: "I think it is a rather tacky-sounding proposal.

"When Sir Geoff Hurst and others proposed the Wembley location, part of it was the magic of the name Wembley.

"Well if that's part of it then that magic will be somewhat detracted from by associating it with a sponsor's name."

Wembley history: 1966 World Cup Final

A spokesman for the Wembley project said the name rights could not be sold unless there is a change in funding arrangements.

"From our point of view, our lottery agreement says we can't sell off naming rights," said the spokesman.

Officials are expected to see the report from Jack Straw's committee on 20 August.

Plans for a new Wembley were thrown into chaos when the Football Association announced that without major investment from the government, the stadium would not be built.

The fiasco also led to the removal of Kate Hoey as Sports Minister in a post-election Cabinet reshuffle.

Project officials believe work should start on the new stadium by the end of 2001.