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FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the launch of the official 2010 Adidas World Cup ball Luigi Bennett/Sports Inc/Press Association Images
FIFA

FIFA scandal ruffles the feathers of big brand sponsors

Coca-Cola, Adidas and Visa are among the companies who’ve expressed concern over allegations of corruption at the world’s football governing body.

EMIRATES AIRLINES AND Visa are the latest big name brands are joining some the the world’s footballing authorities in expressing concern about allegations of corruption within FIFA, the world’s football governing body.

The Financial Times reports that that Emirates and Visa, who are World Cup sponsors, are echoing concerns expressed by Coca-Cola and Adidas in the wake of the bribery allegations against two members of FIFA’s executive committee.

The English and Scottish FAs have asked that FIFA postpone a  planned presidential election scheduled for tomorrow.

Emirates Airlines has released a statement saying it hopes the issues will be resolved as soon as possible , while Visa is calling on FIFA to “take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised”.

Reuters reports that Coca-Cola feels that “the current allegations are distressing and bad for the sport”. The drinks company is one of the largest corporate sponsors of FIFA. Adidas says that while the scandal is “neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners”, it will continue its long partnership with the organisation.