Share

Adidas sticks with FIFA

London - Adidas has agreed to continue sponsoring FIFA despite lingering concerns about the crisis engulfing world football's governing body and asking on Friday for "clarity" about a bribery scandal.

Sepp Blatter, who was re-elected as FIFA president on Wednesday, has been urging key sponsors to retain their trust in the organisation, which had to suspend two executive committee members on Sunday over the corruption scandal.

"Adidas enjoys a long-term partnership with FIFA as a sponsor and supplier around their events at all levels of the game and we have agreed to continue this partnership," the sportswear giant said in a statement.

"Adidas will be an official sponsor of the Soccer World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Having said that, the negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA including its partners and we hope that FIFA will do its best to reach clarity on the allegations soon."

A FIFA ethics panel suspended both Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner pending a full inquiry to study evidence that they arranged to bribe Caribbean voters during bin Hammam's presidential challenge. The Qatari withdrew from the contest on Sunday, giving Blatter a clear run to be re-elected for a fourth term on Wednesday.

Adidas was the first of FIFA's leading corporate backers to express concern about the corruption crisis, followed by statements from Visa, Coca-Cola and Emirates Airline.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1181 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1369 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2086 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE