"I Have a Headache" is so Last Year

NEW YORK, July 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• 40 percent of Men Would Turn Down Sex to Watch Soccer This Summer
• 27 percent of Men Have Thought About Soccer During Sex
• 42 percent Will Try To 'Get It Over With Quickly' In Order To Watch A Game
• 70 percent Agree that Faking It on the Soccer Field Ruins the Game
• One in three Believe it's Worse To 'Fake It' on the Field Than in the Bedroom

The age old excuse of faking a headache has been given the red card by soccer fans with the more honest 'I want to watch the soccer' as the most common way to get out of having sex this summer, a study revealed.

The poll from 72 Point was commissioned by Durex in the UK to highlight how a summer of soccer will affect the nation's love life with their #DontFakeIt campaign. Researchers found that while speaking was favored by most, many are still likely to fake illness or injury this summer to get out of having sex.  Saying 'I've got a bad back' or 'I'm too tired' made up the top three excuses, with 'I've got a headache' and 'I've been working late' completing the top five.

The prospect of a summer of big soccer matches is a dream for many, and for some not even the offer of bedroom action is going to get in the way of their viewing time.

Researchers also discovered that despite the common perception of men rarely being the ones to turn down the offer of some action between the sheets, 40 percent admit they will say 'no' to their other half so they can watch the soccer instead.

Even if they do get intimate with their partners, 42 percent will try to 'get it over with quickly' in order to leave them free to watch the soccer in peace. However, it also emerged that 37 percent would ditch the excuses and accept their partner's offer of sex if they could still have the TV on to keep an eye on the field-side action at the same time.

As this summer's soccer season reaches fever pitch, the connections between soccer and sex are clear: the passion, the excitement, the performance… and those who are quite obviously faking it.

Durex believes nothing should get in the way of great sex, not even the beautiful game.  From the elaborate excuses people make in order to watch a game through to those on the field partaking in ever more melodramatic dives, Durex says no more!  This summer is about stimulation, not simulation; it should be a fake free zone! 

"There is a well-worn stereotype of women making excuses to avoid sex, but it seems that when the soccer is on, the tables are turned," said Aurore Trepo, marketing director, Durex USA. "Excitement levels for soccer fans across the globe are reaching fever pitch, and for some, the passion they feel for the beautiful game is on a par with, if not greater than, that for their partner.  But they need to ensure that once those 90 minutes are up, all attention is redirected solely to their loved one… otherwise there may be penalties!"

With the soccer elite performing on the global stage, discussions about feigning injuries take center stage along with the all too familiar, and often quite acrobatic, dives.

However, anyone taking a tumble better beware because nearly 70 percent of people agreed that those who faked it on the soccer field ruined the game for everyone, with one in three even claiming it was worse to fake it on the field than in the bedroom!

Trepo continued: "There will always some who are guilty of faking it whether it's on the soccer pitch or in the bedroom, and we think now is the time to stand up and declare - great sex is like great soccer; it's better without the faking... and it looks like the public agree!" 

The survey was carried out on June 4, 2014 with 2,000 participants by market researchers 72 Point.

Top ten excuses used to get out of sex:

1. I want to watch the soccer
2. I've got a bad back
3. I'm too tired
4. I have a headache
5. I've been working late
6. I've got work to do
7. I'm too drunk
8. Can we do it later?
9. I don't feel well
10. I've got an early start in the morning

About Durex
Durex® is the #1 sexual wellbeing brand worldwide. The brand not only produces condoms which exceeds global testing standards, but also offers pleasure gels, lubricants and personal massagers. With over 80 years of experience in the bedroom, Durex is dedicated to inspiring lovers to love sex safely. That is why Durex will never stop innovating with new products that enhance the sexual experience, helping couples get closer and go further together.

For more information, go to www.Durex.com.

About RB:
RB (formerly called Reckitt Benckiser) is the world's leading consumer health and hygiene company. The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide.

With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 20 of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Today it is the global No. 1 or No. 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by 19 global Powerbrands of Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Lysol, MegaRed, Veet, Finish, Air Wick, French's, Nurofen, Strepsils Gaviscon, Dettol, Harpic, Bang, Veja, Mortein, Vanish and Calgon. At the start of 2014 RB had 43% of its core revenues coming from its 2 emerging market Areas and 57% from its developed market Area; 72% of core revenues came from the health and hygiene categories of the portfolio.

Fueled by a new breed of talent who blend intellectual curiosity with commitment to the highest quality standards, RB is set to redefine the world of consumer health and hygiene. RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for achievement and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in sustainability where the company is targeting a 1/3 reduction in water impact, 1/3 reduction in carbon and to have 1/3 of its net revenue coming from more sustainable products by 2020. It is also the Save the Children charity's largest FMCG global partner, with a new partnership vision to radically reduce the world's second biggest killer of under-fives, diarrhea. Overall RB wants to reach 200 million people to improve their health and hygiene behavior.

For more information visit www.rb.com.

Contact:
Kimberley Broadbent
Porter Novelli
212.601.8264
[email protected]

SOURCE Durex