Fifa sponsors voice fears over bribe claims

America's Coca-Cola and German sportswear maker Adidas, both long-time partners with Fifa, have provided money, goods and services to support its events worldwide, including the World Cup.

"The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport," Coca-Cola spokesman Petro Kacur said in a statement.

"We have every expectation that Fifa will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner," he added.

The sponsors have made their fears known just hours after the head of Fifa tried to dismiss claims of a crisis within the body at a press conference.

Fifa has been beset by accusations of bribery involving members of its inner circle of executive committee members since the vote to decide the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups took place in Zurich in December.

On Monday, Fifa President Sepp Blatter denied there was a crisis in soccer after a leaked email suggested Qatar had bought the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.

Ten of the 24 members of the executive committee have been subject to allegations of corruption in the last year.

"The negative tonality of the public debate surrounding Fifa is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners," said a spokesman for Adidas.

The spokesman said Adidas plans to continue its long partnership with Fifa, which stretches back more than 30 years.

Since 1970, Adidas has provided the official match ball for World Cup matches and is slated to be an official licensee and supplier for the World Cup in 2014.

Coca-Cola is one of the largest corporate partners of Fifa and has been an official sponsor of the World Cup since 1978.

Meanwhile, the travel expenses for the Caribbean officials who attended a meeting where Fifa bribes were alleged to have been paid came to $360,000 (£200,000), according to a statement from Qatar's Mohamed Bin Hammam.

A separate affidavit sent to Fifa's ethics committee said the travel and hotel accommodation was arranged through Simpaul Travel, a firm previously linked to the family of Fifa vice-president Jack Warner.

Bin Hammam and Warner have both been suspended by Fifa on bribery charges pending a full inquiry.