INTERVIEW-Coca-Cola still keen to sponsor World Cup, Euro soccer

By Darren Ennis

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Coca-Cola is committed to sponsoring major soccer events such as the World Cup and European Championship despite financial pressures created by the credit crunch, its European chief said on Friday.

Dominique Reiniche, president of Coca-Cola's European operations, told Reuters in an interview that the drinks giant may trim sponsorships but would continue to invest in sports, notably soccer, at the top end and grassroots level.

"We don't see ourselves as sponsors but as partners. Olympics, World Cup, UEFA European Championships will continue," she said. "We will revise some budgets, of course -- when the income is lower you have to adapt your expenditure."

The next World Cup finals will be held in South Africa in 2010 with Ukraine and Poland due to co-host the next edition of the European Championship in 2012.

As the global financial crisis takes hold, however, major sports organisations have voiced concern over whether companies may rethink their investments in sport.

"Like everybody, we have to adapt and take into account the financial realities," Reiniche said.

CORE SPORTS

"But what I can promise you is that we stay firm on our fundamentals and supporting the core sports like the Olympics and football is an essential part of what we do and we will continue no matter what happens."