"However, on Sunday the bookmaker released a blog in which it revealed the photo was a hoax and was aimed at raising awareness of deforestation in the Amazon before the World Cup starts in Brazil next week.
"Not a single tree was harmed in the Amazon. Paddy Power admits it was a bit out of left field to raise awareness of deforestation by pretending to chop down the Amazon," the blog read.
"Greenpeace told us that in the Amazon an area the size of 122 football pitches is chopped down every 90 minutes, which is shocking. Paddy Power's #Shavetherainforest stunt helps to haul this issue into the public light, with our own little mischievous twist."