FIFA sponsors voice concerns amid corruption allegations
World Cup sponsor VISA has threatened to end its partnership with FIFA over the latest crisis to engulf the world governing body.
VISA said its "disappointment and concern" was profound and called for "swift and immediate" action in the wake of a wave of arrests of football officials - including two FIFA vice-presidents - in Zurich on Wednesday on bribery, fraud and money-laundering charges following an FBI investigation.
Hyundai: "extremely concerned about legal proceedings being taken against certain FIFA execs & will continue to monitor situation closely"
— Dan Roan (@danroan) May 28, 2015
A host of fellow sponsors have issued statements after a dramatic day in both Switzerland and the United States on Wednesday, but VISA's was the most strongly-worded of them.
A statement from VISA said: "Our disappointment and concern with FIFA in light of (Wednesday's) developments is profound.
"As a sponsor, we expect FIFA to take swift and immediate steps to address these issues within its organisation.
"This starts with rebuilding a culture with strong ethical practices in order to restore the reputation of the games for fans everywhere.
"VISA became a sponsor of FIFA because the World Cup is one of the few truly global sporting events with the power to unite people from around the world through a common love of football.
"Our sponsorship has always focused on supporting the teams, enabling a great fan experience, and inspiring communities to come together and celebrate the spirit of competition and personal achievement - and it is important that FIFA makes changes now, so that the focus remain on these going forward.
"Should FIFA fail to do so, we have informed them that we will reassess our sponsorship."
Coca Cola said: "This lengthy controversy has tarnished the mission and ideals of the FIFA World Cup and we have repeatedly expressed our concerns about these serious allegations."
Fast food giant Mc Donald's also voived conerns.
"McDonald's takes matters of ethics and corruption very seriously," the company stated.
"We are in contact with FIFA on this matter. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will not attend this morning's FIFA medical conference in Zurich and nor is he expected to attend the meeting of UEFA's member association heads after that, a FIFA spokesman said.
