FIFA Vetoes Sponsorships Of São Paulo Referees Due To Conflict Of Interest

FIFA "gave its response about the sponsorships" from Brazilian bank Crefisa and college Faculdade das Américas (FAM) of the São Paulo State Football Federation's (FPF) referees during the final round of the Campeonato Paulista: it "advised that the agreement should be undone," according to Camila Mattoso of ESPN. The two companies already sponsor Brasileiro side Palmeiras, one of the clubs "still involved in the competition, which would go against" FPF's own rules for the Campeonato. FPF Head of Arbitration & Security Marcos Marinho said, "A recommendation came from FIFA to not use this type of sponsorship. Since we don't want to cause any problems with anybody, we're going to obey." According to the FPF, "marks are permitted on the referees' jerseys." However, only if "there are no conflicts of interests." Additionally, the FPF only allows sponsors to be "exposed on the sleeves of the referees' jerseys." In this case, Crefisa's logo "would be on the front" of the referees' uniforms (ESPN, 4/13).