Wetherspoons prints 'Brexit' beer mats that compare the IMF with Fifa

The beer mats will be available in the company’s 920 pubs across the UK

Pictured on Wetherspoon’s beer mats: Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer (Getty Images)

JD Wetherspoon customers will not be able to escape from discussing the EU referendum while having a pint.

The pub chain has printed 200,000 beer mats calling for the UK to leave the European Union.

By Tuesday evening, the beer mats will be available in the company’s 920 pubs across the country in the run-up to the June 23 referendum.

(JD-Wetherspoon)

Among other arguments the message compares the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which said a vote by the UK to leave the EU would have “very, very, bad” consequences, to scandal-hit FIFA.

The message draws attention Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, upcoming trial over a €400 million (£290million) payout to businessman Bernard Tapie.

It also questions why “Greece is in such trouble after six years of IMF advice?

The beer mat has a message on both sides, which is signed by Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin, who previously voiced its support for the UK to leave the European Union.

Tim Martin said that corporate governance at the IMF is “clearly out of control” and Christine Lagarde would have been forced to resign at any normal institution until the matters in question were resolved.

“The UK public have been asked to rely on her comments by both George Osborne and David Cameron in the forthcoming referendum and she must now answer the questions on the beer mats and others that the public may have,” Martin said.

“Christine Lagarde’s integrity and her bona fides as a national advisor, as well as that of the IMF, are a legitimate and important concern,” he added.

Wetherspoon’s boss is not the first to participate to the EU debate through his company.

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s boss, has turned into one of EU biggest defenders and the airline has recently launched a special sale to prove it. Ryanair said it will fly British expats home for cheap to boost remain votes in the EU referendum.

“Ryanair is absolutely clear that the UK economy and its future growth prospects are stronger as a member of the European Union than they are outside of the EU and with just 5 weeks to go, we will continue to work hard to help deliver a resounding ‘Remain’ vote on 23rd June,” said Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair’ chief marketing office.