FIFA sponsor A-B InBev today said that it is "closely monitoring developments" at the governing body in the wake of multiple arrests on corruption charges. The company said in a statement, "We expect all of our partners to maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency" (REUTERS, 5/27). A-B Head of Global Experiential Platforms Eelco van der Noll today at the '15 Intersport Brand Engagement Summit addressed the FIFA corruption scandal. He said, "We all woke up with the front-page news. All I can say is we, as a company, are holding ourselves to the highest ethical standards" (THE DAILY).
Nike "wouldn't comment specifically on the issues raised in the indictment but said it is concerned by the allegations and is cooperating with the investigation." The Justice Department's indictment includes allegations of bribery involving a "multinational sportswear company headquartered in the United States." Nike "isn't named" in the indictment," but it did sign a sponsorship deal with Brazil's national soccer federation in '96, "the same year in which the events described in the indictment take place" (WSJ.com, 5/27).
Meanwhile, the NASL BOG has suspended Chair Aaron Davidson, one of the 14 people arrested, and ceased all business activities with Davidson's Traffic Sports. NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson will serve as acting Chair (NASL).
