Football Trade Directory

Shock as Arsenal's main partner Emirates Airline drop fifa


 

In a shock announcement, Premier League Arsenal's main partner Emirates Airline have announced they will not renew their contract as a Fifa top sponsor at the end of the year. On top of that news comes the word that Japanese electronics company Sony may also quit, the ruling football body confirmed on Sunday.

Fifa told dpa that the Dubai-based Emirates had informed Fifa as early as 2012 that it is "restructuring its sponsoring concept," and that "Fifa respects this."

German news magazine Der Spiegel said Sunday that Emirates were quitting and that Sony would also not renew their eight-year deal when it expires on December 31. Fifa said "we are in ongoing talks with Sony."

Emirates and Sony are two of Fifa's six so-called Official Partners, the top tier of sponsorship, with Der Spiegel saying the Sony deal was worth 300 million dollars and Emirates' 200 million. The others are Adidas, Coca Cola, Visa and Hyundai/Kia.

Emirates are reportedly ending the co-operation because of Fifa's tainted image over corruption allegations.

Der Spiegel said that Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, and South Korea's Samsung are likely candidates to take the place of Emirates and Sony.

"Because of ongoing talks we can not give any further information regarding future partners in this category," Fifa said.

KN

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