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 The campaign group New FIFA Now on Thursday published an email from
a McDonald's saying the fast food giant supports the creation of an
independent body to deal with FIFA’s problems.
“In regards to an independent reform commission, we do believe this
is an important step in the greater reform that has to happen within
FIFA,” McDonald’s vice-president of global media relations and
issues management, Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem wrote in the email.
Previously, McDonald’s had been critical of FIFA and urged change
without specifically calling for an independent reform process.
“An independent commission would bring an appropriate level of
credibility, transparency, and neutrality to the role, and
ultimately provide sponsors and fans across the globe with the
confidence that the reform effort is both meaningful and a step in
the right direction,” wrote Sa Shekhem.
World soccer's governing body has been in crisis since May, when
nine officials and five marketing executives were charged by the
U.S. Justice Department with exploiting the sport for their own gain
through bribes of more than $150 million over 24 years.
In the wake of the scandal, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he
will stand down next February.
Last month FIFA announced they were creating a Reform Task Force
made up of ten representatives of its regional confederations and to
be chaired by someone from outside of soccer.
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That body, which has yet to have its membership announced, is
scheduled to make its proposals to FIFA’s executive committee in
late September. Campaigners were critical of the move, saying only
an entirely independent body could bring about effective change.
“We applaud McDonald’s for joining with Coca-Cola and Visa. They
understand just how vital it is that reform of FIFA is independent
of the deep vested interests surrounding the organization and its
personnel,” said New FIFA Now co-founder Jaimie Fuller.
FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has said he will meet with the
organization's sponsors during August.
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Tom Heneghan)
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