Sponsors ring alarm bells

[FIFA IN CRISIS] It is said the only ones who can force scandal-ridden FIFA to make meaningful reforms are its sponsors, and they have spoken with increasinglyalarm about the recent events.

“We have shared our concerns with FIFA, and it is our expectation that FIFA will address and resolve this situation in an expedient manner, and work towardsrestoring the trust of fans around the world who share great passion for the sport and this tournament,” an Anheuser-Busch InBev spokesperson told Reuters via email.

Added Boutros Boutros, divisional senior vice president forcorporate communications for UAE-based Emirates airline, “Emirates, like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of thesport. “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.”

“The current allegations being raised aredistressing and bad for the sport,” Coca-Cola spokesman Petro Kacur said in an email to Reuters. “We have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in anexpedient and thorough manner,” Kacur added.

Visa said in a statement to The Associated Press that “the currentsituation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that FIFA take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised.”