After the adjudication of bankruptcy proceedings against the ISMM Group on Monday, 21 May 2001 and the termination of FIFA contracts with the Group on 17 May, FIFA, now in possession of the marketing rights for the 2002 FIFA
World Cup(tm) and other FIFA competitions, has commenced activities in FIFA Marketing AG.

Founded on 7 April this year, Zurich-based FIFA Marketing AG is a 100% FIFA-controlled company. The formation of this company was approved at the meeting of the FIFA Emergency Committee on 18 April 2001.

To underpin marketing operations, FIFA has recruited employees from the football division of ISL. FIFA Marketing AG is headed by former ISL manager Patrick Magyar and Winand Krawinkel. Approximately 35 members of the former
football division of ISL will ensure the smooth running of the FIFA Confederations Cup, due to start next Wednesday in Japan and Korea.

The necessary legal proceedings will soon be undertaken to kick start FIFA Marketing AG. The company will be incorporated into the FIFA structure in a way that has not yet been determined. Plans are also being tabled to relocate the company to Zug, the former base of ISL.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter commented on FIFA Marketing AG: ‘We are delighted that the situation is clear once more and that the fate of marketing activities is now in our own hands. In future, we will not sell marketing rights to third parties, but we will control them ourselves.’

After an information session on Tuesday, representatives from the FIFA sponsors were relieved to be informed of FIFA’s endeavours, as a letter from Anheuser-Busch can testify: ‘Thank you very much for your open and honest communication with the FIFA partners earlier today. I found the meeting to be informative and refreshing, and we very much look forward to working with your team at FIFA Marketing AG.’

McDonald’s echoed these sentiments: ‘FIFA has been proactive in facilitating a solution so that we can continue our preparations for World Cup 2002 and the other football events with confidence.’

For further information, please contact:

Fifa Media office
Tel: +41 1 254 9800
E-mail: media@fifa.org