Brazil probe of Nike, other sponsors

Nike Brazil Kit Launch February 10, 2011 | Alan Clarke

Characteristically, neither Nike nor any U.S. or European monopoly was named in the FBI indictment of the FIFA officials for corruption. Yet a 1996 deal with “Sportswear Company A” (sic) gave Nike the right to arrange five friendly matches for the Brazilian national team per year, picking both opponents and players included in so-called “Nike games.” BRAD HAYNES AND ANTHONY BOADLE, Reuters

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Emirates pulls plug on FIFA

(Nov. 3) – Emirates, the world’s biggest international airline, won’t renew its sponsorship of FIFA, allowing its contract with soccer’s global governing body to expire at the end of the year.

The decision comes after FIFA faced corruption allegations linked to votes for the World Cup and its presidency during the period. Emirates is among FIFA’s six top-tier partners. Four have renewed through at least the next World Cup in Russia and another, Sony Corp. (6758), is in discussions about an extension.

Football, neoliberalism and politics

Nathan Bolton (June 12) – I often feel I’m in a very small minority on the left when it comes to football. I support England at international tournaments, I’d sometimes rather go to a game than a meeting and I don’t see the whole sport as a meaningless distraction from making revolution.

Even so, I’ve always felt that politics and football couldn’t mix. Now I’m beginning to think this may not be completely true.

The World Cup of Marketing Part 2: Nike v Adidas

(July 3) – Last week we’ve talked about fierce World Cup marketing battles between big names, like Nike and Adidas. But how do brands market on generic fans, a.k.a., less sporty people?

Coca Cola, the official sponsor, has taken a slightly different marketing approach.

The World Cup of Marketing Part 1: Nike v Adidas

Stephanie Barnes, cubasi.cu

(July 3) – After spending yesterday morning glued to the USA vs. Germany game, Marketo has officially contracted World Cup Fever.

But we aren’t just in it for the team rivalry – we’ve also been fascinated by the ads. The FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting event; it’s a chance for brands to go head to head on our TVs, our mobile devices, and all over social media.

Coca-Cola’s World Cup ad from Palestine blames football struggles on culture, not occupation

“To the uninformed viewer, Palestine is a place where women go to see their liberties stripped away,” writes Sami Kishawi, Sixteen Minutes to Palestine, of the multinational’s bogus and false marketing, World Cup trophy tour. “This is a world sport, but for Palestinians, nothing can be further from the truth.”

Indigenous boy protests on pitch during World Cup opening ceremony

An indigenous Guarani boy held up a banner reading ‘Demarcation Now!’ at the World Cup’s opening ceremony | Luiz Pires/CGY

(June 16) – One of the three Brazilian children who released white doves during the World Cup opening ceremony used the occasion to demand recognition of Indian land rights – but his protest was censored byFIFA.

Immediately after releasing a white dove, Jeguaká Mirim, an indigenous Guarani boy, held up a red banner reading ‘Demarcation Now!’ But his courageous protest was not broadcast, as the TV cameras swiftly cut away.

Jeguaká’s father, Guarani author Olívio Jekupe, said that the act “showed the world that we are not standing still… My son showed the world what we need the most: the demarcation of our lands.”