FIFA's Corporate Sponsors React to the Scandal
SWITZERLAND - Nine FIFA officials have been arrested in connection with an FBI investigation. Key FIFA sponsors that contribute to that sum immediately became the target of scrutiny on Wednesday when the United States Department of Justice unsealed a 47-count indictment that charged the nine FIFA officials and five sports marketing executives with racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering. FIFA sponsors expressed concern about the organization's corruption allegations.
Visa, Inc.
The Wall Street Journal reports, Visa stated that the investigations could end its agreement, which runs until 2022. Visa advised FIFA to take swift and immediate steps to clean up its act.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola stated the "lengthy controversy has tarnished the mission and ideals of the FIFA World Cup and we have repeatedly expressed our concerns about these serious allegations."
Adidas
Adidas explained that it was monitoring the situation and called on FIFA to raise its standards. "The Adidas Group is fully committed to creating a culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we expect the same from our partners," the company stated.
McDonald's
McDonald's stated that the corruption allegations were "extremely concerning" and said it was monitoring the situation closely. The company said that it "takes matters of ethics and corruption very seriously" and that it is in contact with FIFA.
Budweiser
Budweiser's parent company, Anheuser-Busch stated, "We expect all of our partners to maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency. We continue to closely monitor the situation through our ongoing communications with FIFA."
Hyundai
Hyundai released a statement that stated, "As a company that places the highest priority on ethical standards and transparency, Hyundai Motor is extremely concerned about the legal proceedings being taken against certain FIFA executives and will continue to monitor the situation closely."
Gazprom
Gazprom, located in Russia, is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world and one of the world's largest companies. The company rejected any suggestion that the scandal would affect its ties with FIFA. Gazprom spokesman, Sergei Kuprianov said, "Of course, Gazprom's sponsorship agreement is not affected by the situation around FIFA. How can this situation affect it? It's unrelated."
Visa, Inc.
The Wall Street Journal reports, Visa stated that the investigations could end its agreement, which runs until 2022. Visa advised FIFA to take swift and immediate steps to clean up its act.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola stated the "lengthy controversy has tarnished the mission and ideals of the FIFA World Cup and we have repeatedly expressed our concerns about these serious allegations."
Adidas
Adidas explained that it was monitoring the situation and called on FIFA to raise its standards. "The Adidas Group is fully committed to creating a culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we expect the same from our partners," the company stated.
McDonald's
McDonald's stated that the corruption allegations were "extremely concerning" and said it was monitoring the situation closely. The company said that it "takes matters of ethics and corruption very seriously" and that it is in contact with FIFA.
Budweiser
Budweiser's parent company, Anheuser-Busch stated, "We expect all of our partners to maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency. We continue to closely monitor the situation through our ongoing communications with FIFA."
Hyundai
Hyundai released a statement that stated, "As a company that places the highest priority on ethical standards and transparency, Hyundai Motor is extremely concerned about the legal proceedings being taken against certain FIFA executives and will continue to monitor the situation closely."
Gazprom
Gazprom, located in Russia, is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world and one of the world's largest companies. The company rejected any suggestion that the scandal would affect its ties with FIFA. Gazprom spokesman, Sergei Kuprianov said, "Of course, Gazprom's sponsorship agreement is not affected by the situation around FIFA. How can this situation affect it? It's unrelated."
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