Fifa sponsors demand ‘independent oversight’ of reforms

Five of Fifa’s sponsors have written to the executive committee of football’s scandal-battered governing body demanding “independent oversight” of the reform process.

Dec 01, 2015

LONDON // Five of Fifa’s sponsors have written to the executive committee of football’s scandal-battered governing body demanding “independent oversight” of the reform process.

Sponsors were originally promised places on the Fifa reform committee. But instead of being invited into meetings discussing the overhaul of the organisation, they have only been offered seats on an advisory board which is yet to be appointed.

The sponsors’ letter was sent from Adidas, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Visa and Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch to Fifa’s ruling body ahead of meetings this week.

The letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, says it is “clear to us that such independent oversight needs to run long-term through the implementation and evolution of the reform process”.

The reform committee was established following the indictment of football officials by American authorities.