Sponsors voice worries as scandals haunt FIFA

SAO PAULO— Days before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, the equally troubled 2022 tournament in Qatar continues to cause FIFA problems.

After The Sunday Times newspaper published more allegations linking Mohamed bin Hammam to corruptly building support for Qatar’s hosting bid, World Cup sponsors took the rare step of commenting on FIFA business.

Longest-standing sponsor Adidas lamented a negative tone “neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners.”

Another key sponsor, Visa, called on FIFA to “maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency.” The credit card firm’s deal ahead of the 2008 World Cup exposed unethical behaviour by FIFA negotiators, resulting in a $90-million settlement with Mastercard for damages.

The tension was evident at FIFA’s World Cup hotel base in Sao Paulo after the latest claims and could be repeated in Rio de Janeiro in the coming days as the newspaper has promised further revelations.

Football’s power brokers move to Rio after Cup matches begin on Thursday.

The Qatar allegations have revived calls for a new vote on the 2022 event, and diverted some attention from Brazil pushing its World Cup preparations to the brink. The $400 million Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo will be barely completed before Thursday’s opening kickoff between Brazil and Croatia.

Many in the sold-out 61,000 crowd could struggle to reach the venue, far northeast of the city centre, if a subway workers strike, which began on Thursday, continues. FIFA got some good news Sunday when a Sao Paulo court ruled the strike, over pay, was illegal. Still, union members decided to continue the action.