It is amazing how much scandal exists. Bribery, padding, insider actions, collusion-FIFA had it all. And they are not the only ones! So where does it stop? As it was rightfully pointed out to me, don’t punish the athletes for the mistakes of administration.
If sponsors were all to pull out, where would that leave the athletes? In Canada, we have had an amazing experience in multiple cities hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It was a terrific experience for Canadians overall, a terrific show of national pride for our women’s team, and an economic boon to the country. It all happens because of sponsors’ investments. But what happens when those monies and decisions on hosting sites and cities are wrongly channelled?
I think there is a need for the sponsors to step up, not walk away, but step up with the courage and determination to right the wrong. The sponsors need to issue an ultimatum to clean up FIFA and CONCACAF. But they need to do it with muscle. They need to do more than say, “Naughty boys, get your act together.” They need to demand that they sit on the finance and selection committees, not as voting members, but as observers. It is their brand reputation that is associated, so make them partially responsible. Let them expose the issues before they happen. Let them watch for all of us. Let them truly bear the brunt of the scandal if they fail to expose it in the future. But in order for them to take the blame, they need to have access and be in a positon to reveal the issues.
Under this thought and approach, the sponsors become more responsible. They become exposed. If FIFA won’t give them an “ex-officio” role on the decision making committees, then the sponsors need to walk. But will they? Many have known all along what is happening in Qatar. Ironically, just a few weeks before the CONCACAF scandal broke, there was a less published revelation, though possibly more horrific.
What about this “human life” scandal that exists. Should sponsors be called onto the carpet on this side of the FIFA scandal? These top tier FIFA sponsors all have human rights standards and policies, but seem to have buried or hidden from them when it comes to Qatar and what FIFA and scandal has delivered. There is more to this than the money. There is the human side of the impact that needs to be addressed.
Well said Brent. Especially the part about ensuring that the athletes do not take the brunt of whatever remedial actions are implemented. Actions by a powerful minority should not taint soccer across the globe. It will not be easy for sponsors to take the actions you suggest but it is worth a try.
Bob, thanks for your comment and thanks for reading. I know it will not be easy for sponsors, but it is the right thing I believe.
Brent, I agree that Sponsors need to take more responsibility in terms of ensuring their corporate principals are upheld by the properties, but sometimes it may take a mass exodus of sponsorship dollars to drive real change with a property. Some organizations need to be collapsed, especially when corruption is so embedded in their DNA. I have no doubt that new organizations will rise to take their place, ones that will not make the same mistakes as their predecessors. Sponsors will always comes back to where the audiences are.
Melinda, great insight. I agree, sponsors will always come back to where the audiences are! I am just concerned about the athletes at this point, but collapsing it may be the definitive solution.