FIFA presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein believes the "scandal-hit organization will struggle to replace sponsors and be damaged financially" if President Sepp Blatter remains in charge, according to Rob Harris of the AP. Five of FIFA's top 14 sponsors "decided in recent months not to extend their deals, leaving a void ahead of the high-profile qualifying draw event" for the 2018 World Cup in Russia in July. None of the departing sponsors, including Sony and Emirates Airlines, "spoke out publicly" against world football's governing body. But Prince Ali has used his FIFA campaign manifesto, which was launched on Monday, to "express concerns that corruption allegations around FIFA are putting off commercial backers." Prince Ali said, ''The damage, which is being exacted upon 'Brand FIFA,' has financial implications. Sponsors have begun to vote with their feet. If drastic action is not taken urgently to restore the image of our governing body, we can expect revenues to reduce and, in turn, monies available to national associations to also go down.'' FIFA said in January it was in ''advanced negotiations'' with potential partners for the 2018 World Cup, but no information on new sponsors has been "announced since then." Prince Ali: ''We should have a situation where sponsors are not only willing to come back but we should have sponsors fighting to sponsor FIFA.'' FIFA revenue topped $2B last year, adding $91M to its reserves, which now stand at $1.5B after the World Cup in Brazil (
AP, 4/6).
