Sponsors Adidas, Coca-Cola and Emirates express concerns over bribery allegations in FIFA

FIFA’s main sponsors Adidas, Coca-Cola and Emirates have expressed their concern over the ongoing bribery claims in the world football’s governing body.

FIFA’s vice-president Jack Warner and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam both were suspended on Sunday after an inquiry was launched into accusations that they paid officials bribes of $40,000 (€28,000) to garner votes for the latter in the presidential elections slated to be held on June 1.

Warner has attacked FIFA president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke, while Bin Hammam, who withdrew from the FIFA presidential election, has said that he will appeal against his suspension.

In a press conference held on Monday, Blatter dismissed suggestions that FIFA is in crisis but the organization two major sponsors have revealed that they are worried about the recent turn of events.

"Adidas enjoys a long-term, close and successful partnership with FIFA that we are looking forward to continuing,” said an Adidas spokesman, according to the Press Association. “Adidas will be an official sponsor of FIFA 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 and its partners."

A Coca-Cola spokesperson too added the soft-drink company’s apprehension and stated: "The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport. We have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner."

Emirates airline is equally disappointed with the recent events at FIFA.

"Emirates, like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of the sport," the airline said in a statement to Reuters.

"We hope that these issues will be resolved as soon as possible and the outcome will be in the interest of the game and sport in general."

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