Coca-Cola, Visa, McDonald's and A-B InBev -- four of FIFA's top sponsors -- "took coordinated aim" at FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Friday, "calling for him to resign," according to Andrew Das of the N.Y. TIMES. Blatter "immediately rejected the demands," suggesting that FIFA "saw the public statements as little more than an idle threat." Coca-Cola in a release said, "Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish. FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach." A-B InBev called Blatter an “obstacle” to reform. McDonald’s "cited diminishing public confidence in his leadership." Visa said, “We believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA’s existing leadership.” The four sponsors "are some of FIFA’s most prominent and longest-serving benefactors." It is "unclear what the companies can do other than express their displeasure through public statements like Friday’s announcements and in private meetings with FIFA’s leadership" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/3). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Esterl & Futterman noted the statements came "all within a period of a couple hours." Sponsors "wouldn't comment on whether the flood of public criticism aimed at Mr. Blatter had been coordinated, or whether it was a joint effort aimed at pressuring him out of office." But the statements "repeated a similar theme: FIFA could not be fixed as long as Mr. Blatter stayed" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/3).
NOT EVERYONE ON BOARD: The AP's Rob Harris noted this was a "seemingly coordinated move" by the four companies. But Germany-based adidas, another major partner, "is remaining more loyal -- for now -- with a statement that did not reference the embattled leader of world soccer." adidas: "FIFA must implement fundamental changes for the sake of football. Therefore, the initiated reform process must continue quickly and transparently." adidas, which has provided the match ball for every World Cup since '70, has a deal with FIFA through '30. South Korea-based Kia, which has sponsored FIFA with corporate affiliate Hyundai since '99 and has a current deal that runs through '22, "would also not discuss Blatter's future." Kia "did not attend an August meeting at FIFA with sponsors which was initiated following the arrest of seven officials two days before the FIFA Congress in May." But the four brands that spoke out on Friday "have waited until now to reveal that they have lost patience with FIFA's leader of 17 years" (AP, 10/3). REUTERS' Tom Miles reported Swiss watchmaker and FIFA sponsor Hublot also "did not join the calls for Blatter to step down." It said, "We do not believe that it is our role to interfere in the politics of FIFA" (REUTERS, 10/4).
ANALYZE THAT: U.K.-based sports marketer Patrick Nally, who worked with Blatter in the past, said of the four sponsors who spoke out against Blatter, "They did not want to get involved. They were trying to keep out of it, but the media pressure is such that this statement had to be made." A source involved with FIFA's reform process said of the sponsors, "They realised he was going down in coming days. They could sit and do nothing and be forever criticised for not having the guts to stand up, or they could finally break cover and get the credit for nudging (him). It is a potentially useful little PR move, helping to save the great game and repolishing their brand image. And it is a useful note to file when the U.S. attorney keeps sniffing around" (FT.com, 10/4). Blatter's daughter, Corinne Blatter-Andenmatten, said of her father, "I know he wants to quit, and he will do it" (REUTERS, 10/4).
