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Sir Martin Sorrell Fifa UEFA

Sir Martin Sorrell could tackle Sepp Blatter's image problem... but only if 'real reform' is on Fifa's agenda

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

June 2, 2015 | 2 min read

Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of British advertising giant WPP, has reportedly said he would be willing to help re-elected Fifa president Sepp Blatter repair his tarnished image – if he is serious about following through with "real reform" at the football body.

The advertising tycoon sat on the advisory board for England’s failed bid for the 2018 World Cup, which went to Russia. Nonetheless, he has reportedly offered to help Blatter rebuild his image following weeks of unfavourable international press coverage as a result of alleged corruption in Fifa.

Following Fifa executives being arrested by US prosecutors on Wednesday on corruption and bribery charges, including Jack Warner, who launched an impassioned rant against US prosecutors unknowingly quoting a satirical article from the Onion, there remains a lot of work to be done to rebuild trust in company. Especially upon reports European nations and UEFA are looking to boycott the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Sorrell told the Daily Mail: “The election should have been postponed after what happened last week. But now Blatter has been elected again, he has a phenomenal opportunity to bring about proper changes, like the IOC did after Salt Lake City.

“It's only hypothetical, but any involvement by me would depend on being convinced that real reform was happening."

He concluded: "And most importantly that needs the broadcasters, who provide Fifa with the most revenue, and sponsors involved.”

The World Cup sponsors including McDonald's, Visa and Budweiser in particular have expressed their discomfort at how the international football body is being operated.

Sir Martin Sorrell Fifa UEFA

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