Supportive comments pour in after investigation on Barty’s celebratory sip

Ash Barty fans have been quick to jump to her defence after a celebratory swig of beer was investigated by the grog squad.

Ash Barty celebrates her 2022 Australian Open win with a beer during an interview on Channel 9. Picture: Supplied

Ash Barty’s celebratory sip of a frosty beer following her historic Australian Open victory has been defended fans after a viewer complaint triggered an investigation by the grog marketing watchdog.

Sports fans, commentators and fellow player Nick Kyrgios criticised the fun police for even bothering to take aim at her cheeky swig during a post-match interview.

“Go Ash, you bloody well deserve a beer or ten,” read one comment.

“Gosh some need to get a life!!! You deserved that beer Ash. You go girl xxx,” wrote another reader.

🤦🏽‍♂️

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) February 19, 2022

What has Australia become 😓 https://t.co/eOdzq8vw4l

— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) February 19, 2022

When did we lose our way so badly?? Why would this miserable complaint even be reported? Who in a position of power in the media will instruct their staff to only report on things that really matter? https://t.co/rU0EbLHw2W

— Scotty Cummings (@ScottyCummings_) February 19, 2022

“For goodness sake, she’s an adult, she deserves a beer. Nothing wrong with it. To many baby marshmallows having a whinge as they’re incapable of succeeding at anything,” another comment read.

“Wowsers................... you’ve just gotta love ‘em!!,” another read.

“People need to lighten up. Floggers,” another Barty party supporter wrote.

One comment lamented the rise of the ‘Karens’ while another simply labelled the complaint a “dibber dobber”.

“My God, a great role model has 1 drink. Get a life all you do gooders,” another read.

“A sign of the times we now find ourselves living in, the fun police strike again.”

Another was direct in their disgust: “Oh FFS … all these rules and dibber dobbers are seriously just embarrassing.”

GROG SQUAD LOOK INTO BARTY’S SIP

Ash Barty’s celebratory sip of beer during a TV interview following her historic victory in the Australian Open has been dobbed in to the alcohol marketing watchdog.

The Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) investigated how Barty’s TV toast with a Corona during her post-match panel interview with Channel 9 came about following a viewer complaint, claiming the cheers with beers glorified and glamorised alcohol.

The complainant also questioned if the moment was a PR stunt.

The ABAC sets standards for the responsible content and placement of alcohol marketing in Australia.

“I think the segment glorified and glamorised alcohol and was very deceptive if it was indeed a paid promotion. Why else are they doing it if it wasn’t a paid stunt? It’s poor when many children were up watching the final and Ash Barty is a role model for many girls too,” the complaint read.

The ABAC code states alcohol marketing must not show or encourage irresponsible or offensive behaviour related to the consumption or presence of booze nor have strong appeal to minors.

Carlton & United Breweries, which has Peroni and Corona in its stable of beer brands, responded to ABAC’s investigation, explaining while Peroni was the official beer of the Australian Open it did not have a partnership or agreement with Channel 9 to promote the drinks during the tennis broadcast.

“There is no provision within the terms of our agreement with the Australian Open for product placement in post-match interviews,” CUB’s said in response.

“Carlton & United Breweries was not aware that our brands Peroni and Corona would be depicted in this or any other post-match interview. We were not contacted by Channel 9 with respect to any reference to our brands.

“Many Australians enjoy drinking beer responsibly, and we reject the notion that depicting panellists taking moderate sips of beer on television in any way constitutes irresponsible or offensive behaviour.

“Finally, we note that Channel 9 presented Ash Barty with a selection of beers with the context that she had abstained from drinking alcohol during her preparation for the tournament. Ash Barty is clearly a moderate and responsible consumer of alcohol, and we congratulate her on her well-deserved Australian Open success.”

As the beer was not part of a marketing arrangement between CUB and 9 the ABAC standards did not apply and the complaint was dismissed.

Originally published as Supportive comments pour in after investigation on Barty’s celebratory sip