FIFA World Cup sponsors adidas, Sony, Visa and Coca-Cola on Sunday called on football's rulers to "deal thoroughly with allegations of bribery to secure the 2022 World Cup for Qatar, an issue overshadowing this week's kickoff in Brazil," according to Weir & Shine of REUTERS. With the 2014 World Cup days away, FIFA "is on the defensive, conducting an internal investigation into the decisions to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 Cup in Qatar." Both countries "have denied any wrongdoing." The "signs of unease" from some of FIFA's paymasters "will raise pressure on the body," led by President Sepp Blatter, "to get to the bottom of the allegations and tackle underlying concerns about how it is run." In a statement, Coca-Cola said, "Anything that detracts from the mission and ideals of the FIFA World Cup is a concern to us" (REUTERS, 6/8).
SPONSORS PUSH BACK: In London, Roger Blitz noted adidas issued a "strongly worded" statement. Adidas said, “The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners.” Sony, whose World Cup sponsorship runs up to and includes this summer’s tournament in Brazil, said, “As a FIFA partner, we expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately.” Visa said it expected FIFA to take “appropriate actions,” adding, “Our expectation remains that all of our partners maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency.” Michael Payne, who was the marketing director of the IOC during its Salt Lake City corruption scandal, said FIFA’s Qatar controversy "had entered a new phase." Payne: “It is clearly reaching a whole new level of concern in that sponsors historically with the World Cup have always been passive or discreet with their observations on FIFA politics.” Damian Collins, a Conservative member of the U.K. parliament and campaigner for FIFA reform, said that the new material "demonstrated the close links" between former FIFA VP Mohamed Bin Hammam and the bid. Collins: “It is incredible that he wasn’t involved in the bid for the World Cup.” Collins urged the other major sponsors -- Coca-Cola, Hyundai and Emirates -- "to speak out." Collins: “The only language FIFA understands is money” (FT, 6/8). REUTERS noted Sony's statement also added, "We continue to expect Fifa to adhere to its principles of integrity ethics and fair play across all aspects of its operations." Sony is one of six main FIFA sponsors "who collectively paid around" $180M last year. Sony's sponsorship agreement expires this year, giving it "particular leverage as it negotiates a new deal" (REUTERS, 6/8).
