Johnson & Johnson, Castrol and Continental end their partnerships with FIFA

Johnson & Johnson (pharmaceutical company), Castrol (automotive lubricants) and Continental (tyres) are no longer partners of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), as of January 2015.

The three companies were official sponsors of the 2014 World Cup. They cite strategic reasons and not corruption charges stemming from the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. The departure of these companies leaves gaps, as FIFA began to offer regional packages in October 2013 in order to attract sponsors for the next two World Cups.

Emirates Airline and Sony also indicated that they would not continue their partnership with the regulatory body in November 2014. FIFA generated a record €1.1bn in commercial revenue for 2011-2014.

Castrol

• One alleged cause of the withdrawal of Castrol is the apparent lack of brand recognition achieved in Asia, particularly in China, despite various initiatives.
• The subsidiary of the British group BP has been a FIFA partner since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and was a sponsor of the UEFA (Union of European…