SAINT PETERSBURG: FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has announced that the troubled organisation is to meet with key sponsors who have voiced their displeasure at the corruption scandal engulfing world football's governing body.
Valcke, speaking in Saint Petersburg on the eve of the World Cup qualification draw on Saturday, said that Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Visa had sent letters voicing their dissatisfaction after corruption charges were filed against seven FIFA officials in the USA.
"There will be a meeting next month in August between all the FIFA partners and FIFA along with the legal and marketing departments," said Valcke.
"The issue is to make sure from their side that the reform process ongoing should be through an independent body.
"That was discussed with the presidents of the confederations, with (Sepp) Blatter and there will be more information about this taskforce and how it will act in the next weeks."
FIFA president Blatter confirmed earlier this week that he will step down after 17 years in the job when a new president is elected on February 26.
Blatter also outlined his reforms for the disgraced organisation including limits on terms for leaders, tougher background checks on executive committee members and the publication of salaries of top officials.
However, VISA chief executive Charlie Scharf believes that meaningful reform can only take place once Blatter is removed.
"Two things need to happen to ensure credible reform," Scharf said in a statement on Friday.
"First, an independent, third-party commission led by one or more impartial leaders is critical to formulate reforms. Second, we believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA's existing leadership."
Valcke restated that he too will step aside when a new president is elected.
"Whoever the new president is should have a new general secretary," he added.
"If I was the next FIFA president I would take a new general secretary, so yes whoever becomes the next FIFA president should have a new secretary general because it is the most important relationship for any organisation.
"Whoever becomes the chairman of an organisation should appoint his CEO."
And Valcke said the current instability at FIFA meant it was unlikely that any new major sponsors would be signed up before February's election despite ongoing negotiations with two major international companies.
"The current situation doesn't help to finalise any new agreements, that is a fact. I am sure until the next election there will be no major announcements.
"There are negotiations with two major companies around the world to reach the first level of FIFA partnership and I don't know if it will be announced before or after the elections."
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