Alcohol-free sponsor is lined up for Scottish Cup

The Scottish Cup kicks off today with 34 clubs in 17 first round ties but with no "name" sponsor for the tournament.

Though Carling has been named the official beer of the Cup, the Scottish Football Association was facing pressure from health campaigners not to repeat the long-running deal which saw the competition named the Tennent's Scottish Cup from 1989 to 2007.

Despite its options narrowing without drinks companies, The Scotsman can reveal the SFA is at an advanced stage in negotiations with a sponsor who is not an maker of alcoholic drinks. The sponsor should be announced before the cup's second round on 23 October.

The past two seasons saw the Scottish Government and businessman Willie Haughey sponsor the world's second-oldest national football tournament under the Homecoming and Active Nation brands successively.

The absence of a name sponsor as the tournament begins is an embarrassment for the Association, which is currently awaiting the arrival of new chief executive Stewart Regan after Gordon Smith stepped down for personal reasons in April. But the SFA is aware of the debate over alcohol problems and promotion, and there is said to be relief inside Hampden that a "no-booze"' option has been found. An SFA spokesman said: "Negotiations are ongoing but all details are confidential at this stage."