The two national sponsors of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 are split over FIFA, in the wake of damaging headlines about soccer’s global governing body in the lead-up to the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter is campaigning for a fifth, four-year term next year. Under his watch, however, international news reports have found more evidence of match-fixing at the 2010 World Cup and bribery over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, in addition to the ongoing FBI investigations into former FIFA executive committee members Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer.
“We are concerned about the situation and are monitoring developments; we expect FIFA to take all necessary steps to address the issue,” according to a statement provided to Business in Vancouver from Charlie Angelakos, Labatt Breweries of Canada vice-president of corporate affairs.
Labatt announced its Canada 2015 sponsorship last November. It already has pouring rights at BC Place Stadium, site of the July 5, 2015, final. The company is the Canadian unit of Belgium-headquartered global FIFA sponsor Anheuser-Busch InBev and the second of an expected six national sponsors of the 2015 tournament.
The first national sponsor was Bell, whose vice-president of corporate marketing Loring Phinney shied away from joining the chorus.
“It was through our [Canadian Soccer Association] partnership that we explored becoming a domestic sponsor in Canada. We are very excited about what this can do for women’s soccer in Canada,” Phinney told BIV. “As it relates to the international issues, we haven’t made any comments.”
Brazil 2014 global sponsors Adidas, Coca-Cola, Visa and Hyundai/Kia are also Canada 2015 sponsors. All except Hyundai/Kia have gone public about their concerns.
“The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners,” said Adidas, the ball supplier through 2030.
Said Visa, the payment card sponsor through 2022: “Our expectation remains that all of our partners maintain strong ethical standards and operate with transparency.”
The Canada 2015 organizing committee hosted one-year countdown clock unveilings on June 6 in the six host cities. The B.C. government was represented at the Vancouver event by Attorney General Suzanne Anton, a past-president of the Kerrisdale Soccer Club.
Anton was asked whether she, the province’s “top cop,” was concerned about FIFA and its legal troubles affecting Canada 2015.
“We’re a secure country and we’re a trustworthy country, I know that this event will be well-run,” Anton told BIV. “As to what’s going on in the rest of the world? I’m not going to comment on that, but I will say we do have a very good reputation in Canada and a well-deserved reputation.”
Meanwhile, Victor Montagliani, Canada 2015 chairman and CSA president, said the CSA backs Blatter.
“These are all allegations,” Montagliani said. “As a member association we’re in a position where we support FIFA, who govern the game, and the leader of FIFA. He’s not the only leader of FIFA, there are other leaders there, and we support the executive committee.”
Last year, CSA said the tournament would cost more than $70 million, which includes $15 million from the federal government, $2 million from each of the host provinces and $1.5 million shared by the six host cities.
Anton said she was not certain whether the $2 million from B.C. taxpayers was capped. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson anticipated there would be other civic costs for policing the event.
“It’s premature right now to know exactly what that would be,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll come to council in the months ahead prior to the tournament so we get an understanding about what costs there are.”
Germany, the 2003 and 2007 champion, is scheduled to visit BC Place for a June 18 Canada 2015 warm-up match.
