Football club find new way of getting higher in the league… by striking shirt sponsor deal with cannabis growers Flowery Field
A FOOTBALL club has found a new way to get high in their league ... by striking a deal with CANNABIS GROWERS.
Wiener Viktoria have been the dopes of Austrian sport for years, repeatedly making a hash of their chances.
They went to pot completely in May, losing 24-0 to fourth-tier rivals SV Wienerberg.
But Viktoria now hope to light up their division after entering a joint arrangement with Flowery Field - that will see the team sport the weed producers' logo on their kit.
The company grows cannabis for medical purposes, and also supplies knowhow and equipment to cultivate the drug.
Austria's relaxed laws allow for cannabis to be grown and used, but dealing and possession are illegal.
Viktoria chairman Roman Zeisel said: "Top clubs are sponsored by bookmakers and brewers, and that is seen as completely normal. We don't think we are any different.
"We wanted to confront taboos by making this deal. Our entire board was in favour, and now we will work to educate our coaches and players."
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Boss Toni Polster, an Austrian football legend, gave the scheme his backing.
The 95-cap international, 53, said: "A cannabis producer is an unusual sponsor, but so long as it abides by the law I've got no problem with it.
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"But I am a football coach, and I've never yet tried the stuff."
Flowery Field chief executive Alexander Kristen added: "When we first started the police used to raid us regularly, but times have changed.
"I want to make us a more normal company. The world won't fall apart if our logo appears at a football match."