Dozens of rich and powerful soccer sponsors in North America and elsewhere were speaking out against corruption, or perhaps just sitting worrying about the waves of scandal splashing on them. Big sponsors like Coca Cola are demanding reforms. Visa has warned it will pull out if there is not “swift and immediate steps to address” the corruption. Scotiabank (Bank of Nova Scotia) a huge sponsor the North American feeder organization of FIFA known as CONCACAF, has yet to say anything. And there are dozens more. Adidas, Gazprom . Hyundai/KIA, McDonalds and Budweisers. The indictments unsealed yesterday mentioned a “sportswear maker” among the accused. No name has so far come out. In Europe, there is a building demand that the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, resign. He spoke at the FIFA Congress today and portrayed himself as the lone honest man among a few corrupt officials. Most national executives are saying this is not good enough and are demanding Blatter go. Below is a clip with David Gill of the U-K Football Association in which he says he will refuse to service on the FIFA executive unless Blatter leaves.
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