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Visa attacks Fifa for not living up to highest standards Visa attacks Fifa for not living up to highest standards
(about 1 hour later)
Visa's chief executive has lambasted Fifa for "not living up to standards" and "lack of awareness" of the seriousness of corruption charges.Visa's chief executive has lambasted Fifa for "not living up to standards" and "lack of awareness" of the seriousness of corruption charges.
Charlie Scharf told investors his payments company sought to partner with those "who think and act like us". Charlie Scharf told investors his payments company sought partnerships with those "who think and act like us".
He said it tried to hold the highest standards, but did not believe Fifa was living up to those.He said it tried to hold the highest standards, but did not believe Fifa was living up to those.
Later on Friday, Fifa said it would hold a meeting with its commercial sponsors in August to discuss reforms.
Earlier this week, football's world governing body said it would set up an 11-strong taskforce to examine the issue of corruption.
Fraud
Visa has been one of the most critical of Fifa's top sponsors, nevertheless, such public plain talking is rare.Visa has been one of the most critical of Fifa's top sponsors, nevertheless, such public plain talking is rare.
Fifa's other key sponsors include Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Budweiser and Adidas.Fifa's other key sponsors include Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Budweiser and Adidas.
Top Fifa officials were arrested earlier this year on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.Top Fifa officials were arrested earlier this year on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.
It sparked the resignation of its president, Sepp Blatter, who announced he intended to leave next year.It sparked the resignation of its president, Sepp Blatter, who announced he intended to leave next year.
'Crisis''Crisis'
Mr Scharf expressed a lack of confidence in Fifa's ability to reform, saying "no meaningful reform can be achieved under the current leadership", although he stopped short of asking anyone to resign.Mr Scharf expressed a lack of confidence in Fifa's ability to reform, saying "no meaningful reform can be achieved under the current leadership", although he stopped short of asking anyone to resign.
He is calling for an independent commission to be set up to plan for reform. Eleven days ago Coca-Cola also called for such a body to be set up.He is calling for an independent commission to be set up to plan for reform. Eleven days ago Coca-Cola also called for such a body to be set up.
Lobby groups backed Mr Scharf's comments.Lobby groups backed Mr Scharf's comments.
Transparency International (TI), NewFIFANow and the International Trade Union Confederation all applauded Visa for its stance.Transparency International (TI), NewFIFANow and the International Trade Union Confederation all applauded Visa for its stance.
"Coca Cola and Visa have rightly recognised the depth of the corruption crisis facing Fifa," said TI's Neil Martinson."Coca Cola and Visa have rightly recognised the depth of the corruption crisis facing Fifa," said TI's Neil Martinson.
Mr Scharf's full remarks are: "We view the stewardship of our company, our brand, and our clients with the utmost importance and try to hold ourselves to the highest standards.Mr Scharf's full remarks are: "We view the stewardship of our company, our brand, and our clients with the utmost importance and try to hold ourselves to the highest standards.
"We seek to partner with those who think and act like us. I don't believe that Fifa is living up to these standards. Furthermore, their subsequent responses are wholly inadequate and continue to show its lack of awareness of the seriousness of the changes which are needed."We seek to partner with those who think and act like us. I don't believe that Fifa is living up to these standards. Furthermore, their subsequent responses are wholly inadequate and continue to show its lack of awareness of the seriousness of the changes which are needed.
"To this end, we believe two things need to happen to ensure credible reform. First, an independent, third-party commission led by one or more impartial leaders is critical to formulate reforms. Second, we believe no meaningful reform can be made under Fifa's existing leadership."To this end, we believe two things need to happen to ensure credible reform. First, an independent, third-party commission led by one or more impartial leaders is critical to formulate reforms. Second, we believe no meaningful reform can be made under Fifa's existing leadership.
"Football itself is a great sport with which we are proud to be associated. We want to be proud to be associated with Fifa and hope and look forward to working with them to that end.""Football itself is a great sport with which we are proud to be associated. We want to be proud to be associated with Fifa and hope and look forward to working with them to that end."
Who are Fifa's five top tier partners and two World Cup sponsors?Who are Fifa's five top tier partners and two World Cup sponsors?
Adidas - the German sportswear firm has been supplying the official match ball for all Fifa World Cup tournament matches since 1970. Also involved in all other Fifa events, such as the Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, and the Fifa U-20 World Cups for women and men.Adidas - the German sportswear firm has been supplying the official match ball for all Fifa World Cup tournament matches since 1970. Also involved in all other Fifa events, such as the Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, and the Fifa U-20 World Cups for women and men.
Coca-Cola - the US soft drinks firm is one of the longest-standing corporate partners of Fifa, with a formal association since 1974 and an official sponsorship of the Fifa World Cup that began in 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every Fifa World Cup since 1950.Coca-Cola - the US soft drinks firm is one of the longest-standing corporate partners of Fifa, with a formal association since 1974 and an official sponsorship of the Fifa World Cup that began in 1978. Coca-Cola has had stadium advertising at every Fifa World Cup since 1950.
Gazprom - the Russian energy giant signed up with Fifa in 2013 as a partner for all competitions in the period of 2015 to 2018, including the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which is due to take place in Russia for the first time. (The firm is also an official partner of the Uefa Champions League 2012 to 2015).Gazprom - the Russian energy giant signed up with Fifa in 2013 as a partner for all competitions in the period of 2015 to 2018, including the 2018 Fifa World Cup, which is due to take place in Russia for the first time. (The firm is also an official partner of the Uefa Champions League 2012 to 2015).
Hyundai/Kia - the South Korean carmaker began its Fifa alliance in 1999, in a deal to sponsor 13 Fifa competitions including the 2002 World Cup, an agreement extended to the 2006 event. It again backed the 2010 World Cup and is now the official Automotive Partner of Fifa until 2022.Hyundai/Kia - the South Korean carmaker began its Fifa alliance in 1999, in a deal to sponsor 13 Fifa competitions including the 2002 World Cup, an agreement extended to the 2006 event. It again backed the 2010 World Cup and is now the official Automotive Partner of Fifa until 2022.
Visa - the credit card company became a top-tier Fifa partner in 2007, taking over from rivals MasterCard in controversial circumstances, and recently extended its relationship until 2022. It is a sponsor of five Fifa events this year, including the Women's World Cup in Canada.Visa - the credit card company became a top-tier Fifa partner in 2007, taking over from rivals MasterCard in controversial circumstances, and recently extended its relationship until 2022. It is a sponsor of five Fifa events this year, including the Women's World Cup in Canada.
Budweiser - the US beverage has been a World Cup sponsor since the 1986 event in Mexico, and is the Official Beer of the tournament, with its product on sale in all stadia at the finals, and it also sponsors the Man of the Match award at each game.Budweiser - the US beverage has been a World Cup sponsor since the 1986 event in Mexico, and is the Official Beer of the tournament, with its product on sale in all stadia at the finals, and it also sponsors the Man of the Match award at each game.
McDonald's - the American fast food chain has been a sponsor since the 1994 World Cup in the US. Its products are available at all matches in the finals tournament, and it also sponsors the World Cup Player Escort programme, in which children accompany the teams onto the pitch.McDonald's - the American fast food chain has been a sponsor since the 1994 World Cup in the US. Its products are available at all matches in the finals tournament, and it also sponsors the World Cup Player Escort programme, in which children accompany the teams onto the pitch.