Adidas, a primary sponsor of FIFA, “would have a problem” with the global soccer body if it was found to have broken the law by a U.S. investigation into bribery, Kasper Rorsted, Adidas CEO, told the German newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, as quoted by Reuters.
“We expect from our partners that they abide by the laws. If a partner is convicted we have a problem with that. We then have to solve that,” Kasper reportedly said.
Adidas’s current contract with FIFA runs until 2030.
An ongoing trial in a Brooklyn federal courthouse involving three former FIFA executives has again put the spotlight on alleged corruption activities at the organization.
The trial centers on three Argentine soccer officials: Jose Maria Marin, the former head of Brazil’s Football Confederation; Juan Ángel Napout, former FIFA vice president; and Manuel Burga, former head of the Peruvian soccer federation. The three are accused of accepting millions in bribes in exchange for broadcasting and hosting rights for top South American tournaments.
