Sepp Blatter (Photo : Reuters)
Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Budweiser, and Visa among other major sponsors of FIFA have threatened to cut sponsorships if the football governing body refuses to resolve the ongoing leadership crisis rocking the association.
This statement was jointly communicated under the aegis of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The FIFA's major sponsors reiterated that all options remain open on the table if their suggestions are not fully considered and implemented.
The four sponsors had earlier asked FIFA president Sepp Blatter to go on October 2 in order for peace to reign in the committee, most especially after criminal proceedings were instituted against Blatter. The group made it clear that they are not impressed with the lack of independent figures of the current reform committee.
Ellen Richey of Visa confirmed that her company is no longer supporting FIFA, and McDonald's, Budweiser, and Coca-Cola threatened to also walk away if their voice would not be heeded.
"All options have to remain open if the right result does not come out," said Julian Hilton-Johnson of McDonald's.
Sponsor Adidas has not issued any statements since criminal action started against Blatter, and the main four sponsors said they had spoken to it to make a decision about continuing with FIFA or withdrawing sponsorships from the body.
But MPs condemned the sponsors of not being too conscious of play facilities despite their sponsorships of football events around the world, and a case in point here is the inhumane conditions construction workers are subjected to while working in Qatar to enable the Middle East nation host the 2022 World Cup.
"The impression you've left with me and some of the other members is just how passive you've been. It seems to be corporate behavior at its most distant and rather cruel," said John Nicolson of the Scottish National Party.
