Soccer: FIFA World Cup cash blow

FIFA could face a multi-million shortfall in funding for next year’s World Cup finals in Japan and Korea after the collapse of their marketing agents, ISL.

French media giants Vivendi - who own the Canal Plus television channel yesterday pulled out of a possible rescue plan for the financially-stricken group, whose last accounts showed a deficit of some £250m.

FIFA are now to take control of the 11 official 2002 World Cup sponsors, who are worth around £11m each, themselves, but admit that it could have a knock-on effect for the showpiece tournament.

"Disruption to the event cannot be ruled out, but we have taken preventative measures to ensure that we can react quickly," said a FIFA spokesman.

FIFA are to hold an crisis meeting in Zurich early next week and will be looking to find a buyer for the TV rights for both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals outside of Europe and North America.

The Confederation Cup - due to kick-off on May 30 in Japan and Korea - is set to go ahead as planned, but there are worries over information technology arrangements for next year and also for the Club World Championship which is scheduled to be held in Spain at the end of July, but now has no sponsor.