Adidas may still sponsor scandal-hit Fifa

The business has an agreement with Fifa until 2030

Angela Jameson
Wednesday 16 December 2015 12:50 GMT
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A view of the World Cup trophy
A view of the World Cup trophy

Sportswear giant Adidas might still consider sponsoring Fifa, even if the international football governing body does not reform itself.

According to German newspaper Handelsblatt, the sportswear brand’s chairman, Herbert Hainer, said that Fifa was on the right course to reform.

The business has an agreement with Fifa until 2030, having supplied the World Cup match ball at every tournament since 1970.

Last year, the German firm extended its sponsorship deal but Fifa has been hit by a corruption scandal and its president Sepp Blatter — now suspended by the organisation — is stepping down in February.

Adidas did not join other sponsors including Coca-Cola and Visa in calling for Blatter’s resignation this summer, but has said that reform is needed.

Hainer said that all contracts with the football governing body had been scrutinised, adding “I can say with a clear conscience that we are clean”.

Blatter and Michel Platini, president of European governing body Uefa, face hearings before a Fifa ethics judge tomorrow over a £1.3 million payment made by Platini to Fifa.

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