Mexico picks pepper

Press, 27 April 1984, Page 28

Mexico picks pepper

NZPA-AP Mexico City The grinning chilli pepper mascot, “Pique”, selected to promote the 1986 World Cup soccer finals, caused controversy and drew an immediate sneer from some sports commentators in Mexico City yesterday, with one major daily newspaper calling it gauche. A headline on the front page of the newspaper, “Excelsior,” said “the mascot for Mexico ’B6 is as gauche as our soccer.” The national soccer team has not recovered public esteem from its failure to qualify for the 1982 World Cup, losing the regional places to the tiny Honduras and El Salvador. The cartoon character “Pique” was presented to the public for the first time on Tuesday night. It is a

smiling green chilli with the face sporting a giant moustache and topped by a typical Mexican sombrero. Mexico took over the host role for the 1986 World Cup after Colombia backed out, citing the financial commitment involved in putting on the 24-team tournament for world-wide attention. The newspaper, “Uno Mas Uno,” said in an ironic tone that “the members of the jury made the sign of the cross and gathered their courage before announcing the emblem for the ’B6 World Cup.” The mascot was selected in a contest in which 11,140 entries were received. A logotype was also selected, which is a map of the world united by a soccer ball with the phrase “Mexico ’B6” underneath.