Coca Cola says claims 'distressing'

Published May. 30, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Coca-Cola became the second major FIFA sponsor to express concern about the crisis at world soccer's governing body, describing the recent events as ''distressing and bad for the sport'' on Monday.

The soft drink giant's comments follow Thursday's statement from another long-standing FIFA sponsor, Adidas. The sportswear maker said the corruption allegations were ''neither good for the sport of football nor for FIFA as an institution and its partners.''

Executive committee members Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner were suspended Sunday by FIFA pending an inquiry into bribery allegations surrounding bin Hammam's now-abandoned presidential bid.

Coca-Cola last week distanced itself from the corruption scandal, declining to respond to the situation and saying it retained ''full confidence in FIFA's management.''

But the Atlanta-based company issued a new statement to The Associated Press on Monday, saying: ''The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport. We have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner.''