Kia-Hyundai has "no plans" to end its World Cup sponsorship, as fellow sponsors Sony, Emirates, Coca-Cola and Visa distance themselves from the "growing corruption scandal surrounding FIFA," according to Shona Ghosh of MARKETING MAGAZINE. The news "comes after Emirates decided to drop its World Cup sponsorship." Sony "is reportedly set to follow suit." A spokesperson said, "Kia Motors Corporation will not comment on business decisions made by Sony or Emirates. Kia has a current contract with FIFA to deliver a great sporting event to fans of football around the world. We currently have no plans to cancel that contract as our commitment is to the fans." Kia in '10 "extended its contract" with FIFA to cover the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments, at a reported cost of £182M (MARKETING MAGAZINE, 11/28).
MORE PRESSURE: In London, James Masters wrote FIFA "is facing further embarrassment." Visa "is the latest company to call for greater transparency" and said that more must be done to ensure public confidence in FIFA is restored after the "debacle surrounding the corruption report." The credit card company "has a contract to sponsor the World Cup until 2022" and a deal worth about £120M ($187M) to FIFA but is "growing tired of the negative attention" surrounding the organization. A statement from VISA said, “In our discussions we have clearly stated that greater transparency and more open, forthright communications is not only paramount, but the only way in which public trust in Fifa, and all that it represents, will be restored. It is our expectation that Fifa will act accordingly and take swift action to resolve these issues in a manner that is meaningful and visible to all" (LONDON TIMES, 11/29).
