Coca-Cola Co said on Monday it was concerned about alleged corruption within FIFA, soccer’s governing body, and warned that it could harm the game.
“The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport”, said spokesman Petro Kacur, whose company is a leading sponsor of FIFA and its major event — the World Cup.
“We have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner”, Kacur said in an email to Reuters.
FIFA has been beset by accusations of bribery involving members of its inner circle of executive committee members since the vote to decide the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups took place in Zurich last December.
On Monday, FIFA President Sepp Blatter denied that there was a crisis in soccer after a leaked email suggested Qatar had bought the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.
Coca-Cola is one of the largest corporate partners of FIFA, and has been an official sponsor of the World Cup since 1978.
The Atlanta-based company provides cash, products and services in support of FIFA-organised events around the world, including the FIFA World Youth Championship and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.