07.07.2015 20:55 h

CONCACAF cuts ties with Traffic Sports USA

Football's North American governing body announced Tuesday it has ended corporate ties with Traffic Sports USA, the marketing firm whose president was indicted on multiple counts in the FIFA corruption scandal.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) deal terminated with Traffic Sports USA includes rights to the 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 Gold Cup tournaments and seven seasons of the CONCACAF Champions League from 2015-16 through 2021-22.

The move came only hours before the kickoff of the 2015 Gold Cup tournament in suburban Dallas, but CONCACAF said in a statement that cutting ties with Traffic Sports "will have no effect on CONCACAF's ability to fulfill its existing obligations to sponsors or to stage future tournaments."

Olympic qualifiers, youth tournaments and futsal rights were also covered in the now-dissolved deal.

"CONCACAF remains committed to organizing and executing best-in-class competitions for our member associations, fans, players, coaches and sponsors, including the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup."

Traffic Sports USA former president Aaron Davidson was among those indicted by the US Justice Department in May on counts that include money laundering and bribery. Several CONCACAF officials were also charged in the scandal.

CONCACAF said it plans to serve existing sponsors with its own sales and marketing personnel and that the process for choosing future commercial rights partners is being evaluated by the three-man governing body's special committee that is reviewing all CONCACAF business operations.

Football federation presidents Justino Compean of Mexico, Sunil Gulati of the United States and Victor Montagliani of Canada form the committee.