Fans cry foul on Blackburn Rovers' chicken ad

Blackburn Rovers fans have cried foul at a new television advertisement to promote the Indian owners' chicken products, complaining that it has turned the Premier League team into a laughing stock.

The 25-second ad, which has appeared on screens in recent weeks in India, sees the northern English side in full kit and huddled in the dressing room as if having a pre-match team talk. The players then cross themselves for good luck before the camera pulls back to reveal them eagerly tucking into plates of a variety of flavoured chicken wings produced by owners Venky's, an Indian poultry giant.

"I am appalled to see my players being exploited for the pure purpose of raising the profile of the owners' products. We have become the laughing stock of the football world," a Blackburn season-ticket holder said.