Adidas Goes Public With Concern Over FIFA's Corruption Allegations

FIFA World Cup sponsor adidas said that it is "concerned about allegations of corruption" surrounding the governing body regarding the '22 World Cup in Qatar. The company in a statement said, "The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners" (AP, 6/8). A N.Y. TIMES editorial states no games "are watched as intently as World Cup games," so FIFA "owes it to the world to strengthen its watch so soccer fans can cheer without any doubts" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/8).

Qatar's bid committee today said that it is "confident it will retain the rights to host" the World Cup "following new allegations that an official from the country used his high-level contacts to help win support" for its bid (AP, 6/8).

For more reaction on the state of FIFA, see the Weekend Hot Reads.