MOSCOW (Sputnik) – In late May, several FIFA officials were arrested in Switzerland under a US anti-corruption warrant as a total of 14 world football figures were indicted by the US Justice Department on charges of money laundering, wire fraud and racketeering. On Tuesday, FIFA President Joseph Blatter announced his resignation just four days after he was reelected as the head of the football association.
Buhlmann told the Welt Am Sonntag newspaper that Adidas, by canceling the contract with FIFA, hopes to increase pressure upon the football body with an aim of reforming the organization.
Adidas cannot demand from its employees a law-abiding behavior and continue business relations with an apparently corrupt organization at the same time, Welt am Sonntag quoted Buhlmann as saying.
Adidas is one of the main sponsors of FIFA, along with Coca-Cola, Gazprom, Hyundai and Visa. It has been the World Cup ball provider since 1970.
