Petition requests Bono's retirement

An online petition has launched requesting that U2 frontman Bono retire.

Appearing on website The Point, the petition has objected to the rocker's RED campaign for fighting AIDS in Africa because it has allegedly spent more money on marketing than product sales.

The petition's creator stated: "Bono's philanthropy efforts are self-righteous, ineffective, and counter-productive."

The petition has promised to donate all donations to the Global Fund - an organisation set up to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis - once the U2 singer retired.

It continued: "It's time for Bono to step down. We'll all pledge donations to the Global Fund, but no pledges are collected until Bono retires from public life.

"If he wants to moan bland melodies he'll have to do it quietly in his bedroom. If he wants to fight AIDS he can make a direct donation instead of buying a sweatshop Gap T-shirt.

"As the pledges grow, Bono will have to decide what matters more, fighting AIDS effectively, or him being the movement's frontman."

So far, more than $1,000 has been pledged to the Bono retirement petition.