By RYAN TOLMICH
In the wake of the controversy surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, one of FIFA’s more prominent partners has decided to end their sponsorship agreement.
Sony’s contract with FIFA is set to expire at the end of the year and the company has reportedly opted not to renew the eight-year, $280 million agreement between the two partners.
The company becomes the second high-profile sponsor to end its relationship with FIFA, following the lead of Emirates Airlines. Sony are looking to cut costs, but the company is also reportedly concerned about the negative message sent by FIFA’s lack of transparency.
The decision comes in the wake of FIFA’s announcement that a report concerning the pair of World Cups found no wrongdoing, which attorney Michael Garcia, who spearheaded the effort, disputed.
Here are more news and notes to kickoff your Tuesday morning:
GERMAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR BLATTER RESIGNATION
German Football League president Reinhard Rauball has seen enough of Sepp Blatter.
Rauball revealed that he personally called Blatter to ask the FIFA president to step down in the wake of controversy surrounding the upcoming World Cups.
“In contrast to others who just do it via the media, I rang up Mr Blatter personally recently and asked him to resign,” Rauball said. “I can’t be accused of holding myself back on this issue. But the decision by the Fifa executive committee in favor of Qatar is not made by Mr Blatter alone – 22 people are entitled to vote.
“Most people just throw up their arms and say ‘that’s very bad’,” Rauball continued, “but that is not enough. We need a prospect. There is no willingness to publish both the Garcia report and the decision of the ethics committee but it is simply unavoidable. The impression remains that people are being protected and that is intolerable.”
Rauball went on to back German FA president Wolfgang Niersbach to “provide solutions” and replace Blatter.
“The league representatives to the DFB committee would all vote for Niersbach as a candidate,” Rauball said. “I am sure there will be no other opinion in the DFB committee either.”
NASRI INSISTS THE FUTURE OF MAN CITY’S STARS REST ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PERFORMANCE
Manchester City are dangerously close to crashing out of yet another Champions League competition, prompting Samir Nasri to reveal his concerns for the future.
Nasri stated that he believes that the future of the team’s stars rests on the group’s Champions League performance, which continues Tuesday against Bayern Munich.
“Let’s be honest, with the salary of every player and the level of those players, 90% of the team is world class, then not to qualify from the first round of the Champions League would be a huge blow for the club – and for us as well,” Nasri said. “The thing in the Champions League is not just the talent, it’s not being a team, it’s the experience as well. We need to show we are smart players and to use what happened in the last couple of years to improve. We still have a chance and we need to take it. Now is the moment.”
QUICK KICKS
Police have arrested 95 Ajax fans in Paris ahead of the club’s matchup with Paris Saint-Germain. (REPORT)
Sami Kehdira and Pepe are set to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with FC Basel. (REPORT)
Club Leon manager Gustavo Matosas has resigned. (REPORT)
Huub Stevens is set to return as Stuttgart manager after the resignation of Armin Veh. (REPORT)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal visited Arjen Robben, but did not see the club’s hierarchy following criticism during his time with the club. (REPORT)
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What do you think of Sony ending their sponsorship? What do you make of Rauball’s comments? How will Man City fare against Bayern Munich?
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