November 20 – World Cup sponsors Adidas, who have taken somewhat of a backseat over the need for FIFA reform compared to their US-based front-line commercial partners, have now waded into the debate with a call for term and age limits on future presidents in the post-Sepp Blatter era.
Comments by Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer are believed to be the first time the company, which has provided the World Cup match ball since 1970 and two years ago extended its partnership with FIFA until 2030, has spoken publicly about the FIFA corruption crisis.
Hainer says Blatter’s departure on February 26 will not be enough to bring about change.
“It doesn’t help at all for just one person to go. You have to fundamentally change the organisation,” Hainer said in an interview with the WirtschaftsWoche magazine.
Sponsors like Visa and Coca-Cola have demanded that FIFA reform is driven by an independent, third-party body of impartial experts. But Hainer reiterated his support for the existing reform commission led by former Olympics supremo Francois Carrard.
“I can’t say what will come out in the end, but you will see that the structures will change significantly,” he said.
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