Fifa risk losing #1 billion in sponsorship deals as anger grows over bribery scandal
Two more of Fifa’s six key commercial partners have voiced their concern over the deepening crisis and urged football’s world governing body to resolve the controversy as soon as possible.
Fifa apparently enjoys immunity from prosecution in Switzerland so the SFO would have its work cut out trying to get evidence by way of mutual legal assistance. Photo: EPA
By Simon Hart
10:33PM BST 31 May 2011
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Credit card giant Visa and Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, joined Coca-Cola and Adidas in calling for an end to the scandal which has embroiled their brands in negative publicity over the past few weeks.
Each of the six companies pays £85 million-£300 million to be a global sponsor of world football and they are growing increasingly agitated at being associated with the damaging corruption allegations.
A Visa spokesman said: “The current situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that Fifa take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised.”
Boutros Boutros, Emirates’s divisional senior vice-president of corporate communications, added: “Emirates, like all football fans around the world, are disappointed with the issues that are surrounding the administration of this sport.
“Emirates’ sponsorship of all Fifa tournaments, including the Fifa World Cup, aims to help promote football and ensure that it is accessible to the billions of football fans; something Fifa have managed to do extremely well in recent years.
“We hope that these issues will be resolved as soon as possible and the outcome will be in the interest of the game and sport in general.”
Of Fifa’s two remaining key partners, Sony are keeping their distance from the affair while Hyundai-Kia Motors have not made any response.
A Sony spokesman said: “It is not our intention to be involved in this issue at this point in time.”
The prospect of a revolt by the companies that help bankroll the global game is certain to concentrate minds of Fifa delegates when the presidential election, for which incumbent Sepp Blatter is the only candidate, gets under way today.
A spokesman for Adidas, the sporting goods and apparel company, said: “The negative tonality of the public debate surrounding Fifa is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners.”
His view was echoed by a Coca-Cola spokesman: “The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport. We have every expectation that Fifa will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner.”The deals at risjk
The deals at risk
Visa
What it’s worth: Signed an eight-year deal in 2006 worth £85 million. What they said: “The situation is clearly not good for the game.”
Adidas
What it’s worth: Extended sponsorship until 2014 six years ago for £186m. What they said: “Accusations [of corruption] are good for neither the image of football nor Fifa itself.”
Coca-Cola
What it’s worth: Signed £290m deal in 2005 until 2012. What they said: “Allegations are distressing and bad for the sport.”
Emirates
What it’s worth: Paid £118.3m in 2006. The deal expires in 2014.
Sony
What it’s worth: Signed £185m, nine-year deal in 2005.
Hyundai
What it’s worth: Extended deal to 2022 last year, at cost of £182m.
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