Updated: 18.46
THE IRISH INDEPENDENT have denied any responsibility in the sudden axing of its Fantasy Rugby World Cup game, run in conjunction with L’Oréal Men Expert, this weekend.
The publication has also revealed that the game has been cancelled and will not be returning.
Earlier in the day, L’Oréal had told The Score that they would contact all registered users with regard to the problems encountered over the weekend.
When asked whether the fault for the cancellation of the game rested with either L’Oréal or the Irish Independent, L’Oréal’s head of corporate communications, David MacDonald, responded: “Somewhere in between. We are looking into the problem but we have not been able to identify it as yet.”
However, Eileen Ruddy – Group Online Sales Director with Independent Digital – vehemently denied to The Score that the Irish Independent held any responsibility for the game’s cancellation.
“There’s no ‘in between’ here whatsoever, the issue lays entirely with the Fantasy League providers.”
The Independent also issued a statement on Monday evening, further explaining why the plug was pulled on the game.
“Due to circumstances beyond our control unfortunately the L’Oreal Men Expert Fantasy Rugby League game has been cancelled,” the statement read.
“The Property Owners of the Fantasy League game have informed us that due to legal issues they are unable to continue operating the site and advised us to pull the game immediately.
“A statement will be issued from L’Oréal to all registered users of the game today and a statement will also be posted on the L’Oréal website.
“Independent.ie was used solely as a communication channel to promote the Fantasy League site and hold no responsibility whatsoever in the cancellation of the game.”
L’Oréal finally released their own statement to users of the game on Monday evening.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control the L’Oréal Men Expert Fantasy league has closed. You can no longer register to take part in the league. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. For any further queries please email menexpert@ie.loreal.com.
For those of you who have already registered to take part in the L’Oréal Men Expert Fantasy League, you have been entered automatically into a prize draw to win tickets to all of Ireland’s Six Nations games in 2012, with flights and accommodation included for all away games. Three runners up will each receive a L’Oréal Men Expert Hamper containing a selection of skincare products from the range including L’Oréal men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll on, Vitalift Moisturiser, Aftershave Balm and Anti – Irritation Shaving Foam.
The computer record of the registration of the player will be considered the entry. No purchase or further action is necessary. Winners will be notified by 11th November 2011.
ESPN and the Irish Times also run RWC2011 games. Thanks to TheScore reader Niall McGrath for the heads up.
Everyone’s welcome to come over and play on our fantasy game: http://irishtimes.fantasyleague.com/
Everybody back to Hugh’s. Bring your own beer.
Based on the comments below about it being too late to move to another league it would be a nice coup for the Irish Times if they could honour points already accrued with the line up they had on the L’Oreal/Indo site? Not sure if there is a way to honestly prove the chosen line up though. Always the danger some people will dishonestly pick a new line up to maximise their start.
Disgusted! that’s the last time I’m using their moisturising exfoliating cream ever again
they really dropped the ball on that one.
What a load of crap, I’ve entered that league every year for the past 2 or 3 years during the 6 nations, it was great craic, especially when you set up a private league with buddies. What has changed that they had to take it down? I was really looking forward to this year, even recruited a few overseas friends to take part and got our own competition running, I feel sad :-(
Wish I’d bothered to sign up now, wouldn’t mind a chance to win those tickets!
It’s the fact that they’ve gone and done it the weekend after the rugby world cup has started that really makes me mad – too late now to switch to other sites. Grrr.
Like other posters, we’ve been using this website for the last couple of 6 nations, initially the response time was dire but had improved a lot this year, and making your own leagues was good fun. We had a pool, fiver a man, going in work also.
Not even going to look at a l’oreal product ever again.
time to boycott l oreal products i think the just made a balls of the rugby world cup for thousands of genuine fans and consumers i think you will pay for that one l oreal :(