Tokyo Sexwale is one of the Fifa presidential candidates. He has a bit of a questionable past, but more of that to come another day. If any more proof was needed that the majority of the candidates are part of the old system that is the problem at Fifa, this is a Reuters report on Sexwale's views on the sponsors' call for Blatter to step down.
"Major sponsors of world football went too far when they issued calls last month for the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, according to Sexwale.
In response to the scandals, Coca-Cola Co, McDonald's, Visa, and Budweiser owner Anheuser-Busch InBev, companies that have long linked their brand names to football, have issued almost simultaneous statements in October, demanding Blatter step down immediately in a strong push for change at the organisation.
"These companies have the right to speak. But I think we should be very careful how far we go with sponsors activism," Sexwale said.
Sexwale praised, instead, a more muted statement by sportswear company Adidas, which supported FIFA reforms efforts without calling for Blatter's ousting."
The relationship between Adidas and Fifa, and Blatter, goes back a
while. Adidas has provided every ball for the World Cup since 1970 and
has a contract until 2030. More significantly, Horst Dassler, the son of
Adidas' founder was instrumental in Blatter's rise to power at Fifa.
Dassler also co-founded International Sports and Leisure, the marketing
company that became Fifa's main broadcasting partner but which also
became the subject of one of the biggest Fifa controversies. After
Dassler's death the company went bankrupt and it was alleged that it was
at the centre of $100m in kickbacks to members of the Fifa Executive
Committee.
To the normal world, the one outside Fifa and the one populated by the majority of those who elect the Fifa president, Tokyo Sexwale's use of Adidas' support would be seen to work against his chances. But, as a sad reflection on who does the electing, within the Fifa circles it is probably see as a sign of strength, a real one of us mentality. It is further proof of the concern that a new president is really just going to mean a new name, but it's going to be business as usual.
To the normal world, the one outside Fifa and the one populated by the majority of those who elect the Fifa president, Tokyo Sexwale's use of Adidas' support would be seen to work against his chances. But, as a sad reflection on who does the electing, within the Fifa circles it is probably see as a sign of strength, a real one of us mentality. It is further proof of the concern that a new president is really just going to mean a new name, but it's going to be business as usual.
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