FIFA sponsors want independent reform oversight
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – World Cup sponsors urged new FIFA president Gianni Infantino to move quickly on reforms to provide transparency, accountibility and independent oversight to wipe out its past culture of corruption.
Football’s scandal-stained global governing body elected Infantino its new supremo Friday after approving changes to its governance structure, but major US-based sponsor Visa was concerned the moves were not enough without further action.
“With the passing of today’s reform proposals, we urge FIFA’s new leadership to prioritise their implementation,” a statement on the Visa website said.
“As we have said before, we believe it is in the best interests of FIFA, the fans, sponsors and everyone involved, that there is long-term independent oversight of the reforms.
“Our expectation is that FIFA will also take swift and immediate action in instilling a culture committed to transparency, accountability, and integrity.”
Atlanta-based FIFA backers The Coca-Cola Company said in a statement that deeds, not words, regarding oversight and accountibility will be the critical factor in judging future support of Infantino’s FIFA.
“As a long-time supporter of football, we, like everyone who loves the sport, want to see FIFA succeed,” the Coca-Cola statement said.
“Under Mr. Infantino’s leadership, FIFA must regenerate itself and create the needed transparency and cultural change that will restore its image and effectively resume its mission of developing football around the world.”
Infantino takes over from Sepp Blatter, who has been banned from football for six years after US and Swiss authorities launched major corruption investigations into FIFA and other football federations.
FIFA’s reforms included measures aimed at separating FIFA commercial and political decision making and providing greater scrutiny of top officials.