A NUMBER of Fifa sponsors publicly spoke out on Tuesday over the continued exploitation of migrant workers in Qatar.

Coca-Cola and Visa both released statements via their website voicing their concern over the hundreds of workers who have died constructing stadiums and infrastructure at the 2022 World Cup sites.

A Coca-Cola spokesperson said: “The Coca-Cola Company does not condone human rights abuses anywhere in the world.

“We know Fifa is working with Qatari authorities to address specific labour and human rights issues. We expect Fifa to continue taking these matters seriously and to work toward further progress.”

Visa said: “We continue to be troubled by the reports coming out of Qatar related to the World Cup and migrant worker conditions. We have expressed our grave concern to Fifa and urge them to take all necessary actions to work with the appropriate authorities and organisations to remedy this situation and ensure the health and safety of all involved.”

The statements come at time when International Trade Union Confederation leader Sharan Burrow said that working conditions were “simply slavery.

“If Fifa is serious about this, they can turn it around. They can turn it around, but they choose not to,” she said.

TUC say that “62 workers may lose their lives for each game played during Qatar’s 2022 World Cup,” and also backed sponsors putting pressure on football’s government.

Letters have been sent to eight big sponsors to put pressure on Fifa to strip Qatar of the tournament.

Other sponsors, including McDonald’s, Adidas and Budweiser have yet to respond while Kia “refused to comment.”

Coke have been involved with Fifa since 1974 but the company have had complaints and human rights lawsuits made against them for poor working conditions and low wages in countries including China, India and Mexico.