Small Dutch newspaper to boycott Fifa sponsors

DutchNews.nl, May 28, 2015

The editor-in-chief of Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad says he does not want to see any adverts from Fifa sponsors in his paper until they have ‘converted’. 

Sjirk Kuijper used Twitter to say he did not expect advertising from Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Hyundai, Visa and Adidas and uses the hashtag #Fifamaffia.  His decision follows the arrest of seven senior Fifa officials in an investigation into corruption on Wednesday. 

Kuijper also says he wants to change the paper’s editorial statutes to ensure the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is not covered either, broadcaster Nos reports. 

Nederlands Dagblad has a circulation of some 20,000 and is read mainly by orthodox Protestants. It does not cover sport in any depth. 

Dutch sport marketer Bob van Oosterhout told Nos Fifa’s sponsors are already uneasy about the organisation’s reputation. 

Four major sponsors have already pulled out in the past year, including Sony and airline Emirates, he said.

Related Article:

Dutch football association welcomes Swiss Fifa arrests