The Brussels summit on FIFA reform which was held at the European Parliament on Wednesday, Jan. 21 has prompted international sports brand Skins to announce the first ever ‘official’ non-sponsorship of football’s governing body. The non-multi-million pound announcement allows the company to highlight “unshared brand values and confirms Skins’ contempt for an organization, which has been constantly shrouded in allegations of corruption and controversy, yet is potentially preparing to re-elect its President Sepp Blatter for an unprecedented fifth term in office,” according to a statement from Skins.
“I’m delighted this ongoing non-deal highlights all the values we don’t share with FIFA,” says Jaimie Fuller, Skins chairman. “It is an exciting non-association which will shine a light on the organization’s un-progressive stance, dis-credited values and all round non-integrity.”
A key part of this non-initiative is a social activation ‘demanding football back,’ which encourages supporters from across the world to show their desire for change. Fans can lodge their own FIFA protest by logging on to www.officialnonsponsor.com where they are offered a series of non-sponsor opportunities including the chance to not win tickets to the next World Cup.
Skins is providing a non-sponsor style-guide for other brands to adopt as well as an eBay listing which ‘invites’ bids for ‘FIFA silence.’ This also offers a full selection of limited edition, (non-available) transparent Skins products.
To support the series of launch activities, Skins has also posted a full page advertisement in Sepp Blatter’s local Swiss newspaper to confirm its ‘Official Non-Sponsor’ status and announce the company’s delight at ‘this exciting global anti-association of FIFA.’
“After a board discussion on the usual payments allegedly accepted by FIFA: $5 million, an opulent banquet or a Picasso painting, we decided to not pay FIFA anything,” says Fuller. “But the main thing here isn't not giving them money; it’s about making football better. Making it a game free of corruption, lies and backhanders.”
The serious objective of the campaign is to galvanize support for institutional change within FIFA, following the Brussels summit. The intention is for all activity to direct fans from around the world to newfifanow.org the recently launched global movement headed by the Conservative MP Damian Collins.
The Summit called upon all confirmed candidates for FIFA’s forthcoming Presidential election to establish full reform including the creation of a FIFA Reform Commission to be overseen by an independent international authority such as UNESCO. Newfifanow.org also announced its intention to meet with FIFA’s current (real) sponsors and broadcasters and conduct briefings with major international agencies and governments to progress the creation of a FIFA Reform Commission. The campaign is timed to coincide with FIFA’s presidential nominations process.
“This anti-FIFA stance is intended to be fun and engaging but it carries a very serious message in support of newfifanow.org,” says Fuller. “We’re subverting traditional sponsorship activities to make a very clear statement ‘Sepp, we just want football back.’”
For more information visit http://www.skins.net/usa/ and for images visit http://bit.ly/1zAK4Z2.
About Skins
Skins has a history of supporting campaigns, which reflect the retention or return to integrity in sport.
In 2010, Skins immediately withdrew its sponsorship of Australian Rugby League club Melbourne Storm after they were caught breaking salary cap rules and stripped of their national title.
In 2012, Skins created the pressure group Change Cycling Now to support the movement for change in world cycling. The move was part of a successful global campaign to remove the UCI’s President from office.
In 2013 Skins created the campaign; “Choose The Right Track” to promote anti-doping in sport. Skins partnered with reformed drugs cheat Ben Johnson, who was stripped of his 100 meters Olympic title in Seoul in 1988 after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. A global tour concluded in Seoul on the 25th anniversary of Johnson’s race. A month later the IOC announced additional funding for anti-doping and the fight against match fixing and corruption. Announces Inaugural Non-Sponsorship of FIFA to Support Brussels Reform Summit
