Will BMW xxxx ditch SBW?
BMW is ‘‘re-looking’’ at its ambassador deal with Sonny Bill Williams after complaints about the rugby star’s association with controversial Muslim clerics.
Williams’ appointment as one of BMW New Zealand’s brand ambassadors was highly publicised in October, but soon after drew an influx of complaints from BMW customers and the LGBT and Jewish communities about his association with two Muslim clerics and a photo in which he is using a salute associated with Isis.
Articles appeared on Gay Express, on the Whale Oil blog and in motoring publications about the Williams’ links to Mufti Ismail Menk and Erbrahim Bham, but it can now be reported that BMW is taking action over the men’s links.
It is understood that a senior BMW manager travelled from Australia to New Zealand to address the issue, and that customers who have complained were told a decision would be reached by the end of January.
BMW New Zealand’s head of corporate communications, Paul Sherley, told Newsroom that Williams’ original contract remained unchanged. However, he said the luxury vehicle brand was taking the complaints seriously and ‘‘relooking’’ at Williams’ role.
The controversy stems from Williams’ support of Zimbabweborn Menk who was banned from six UK universities in 2013 for his extreme anti-homosexual views. He described same-sex acts as, ‘‘filthy’’, ‘‘wrong’’ and ‘‘acts of immorality’’.
Menk was recorded as saying: ‘‘With all due respect to the animals, [homosexuals] are worse than those animals’’.
The friendship between Williams and Menk has been well documented on social media. The closeness of this relationship has caused complainants to questions whether Williams endorses Menk’s homophobic beliefs.
When contacted by Newsroom, Sherley said the company was ‘‘relooking’’ at its agreement with Williams as a result of the complaints.
‘‘We are certainly very mindful of the complaints around him and we are just re-looking at how we can integrate him.
‘‘We take all of the complaints very seriously and if there is public opinion that suggests we need to re-look at, or how we are using someone, we will do it.’’
Sherley said there had not been a change to the original agreement, and could not confirm when a decision on any changes would be made.
Williams’ absence from BMW’s website was because the site had not been updated yet, he said.
He said he did not know why the Facebook comments have been deleted.
Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser was also contacted by Newsroom. He told a reporter he had a ‘‘big fight coming up in Australia and that’s what I am concentrating on,’’ before hanging up.
Federation of Islamic Associations New Zealand (FIANZ) president Haizan Arafeh said there was ‘‘no way on earth’’ that Williams would support hate speech. He said he did not know enough about Menk and Bham to comment on their ideologies, and it would be premature to comment on BMW’s stance as no action had been confirmed by the company.
The one finger salute was a universal Islamic gesture and should not be associated with Isis, he said.
‘‘Everybody is entitled to their sexual orientation and religious beliefs and I don’t see that having Sonny Bill Williams as a BMW ambassador could drive people away from driving BMWs.’’
Williams could not be reached for comment.
* This story first appeared on Newsroom.co.nz and is republished with permission.