ZURICH (AP):

Three second-tier World Cup sponsors opting not to renew for the 2018 tournament in Russia was normal in sports business, FIFA said yesterday.

Castrol, Continental and Johnson & Johnson all let their World Cup commercial deals expire in December, amid widespread allegations of corruption implicating FIFA executive committee members.

The companies were among eight second-tier FIFA partners who collectively paid $524 million to be associated with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which earned more than $4 billion for the governing body.

The 2018 tournament is expected to earn at least $5 billion with improved broadcasting deals, and a new FIFA marketing strategy to include more sponsors.

Though sponsors have been urged to speak out against claims of corruption and FIFA's unwillingness to reform, none of the three departing backers voiced public criticism.

In a statement yesterday, FIFA marketing director, Thierry Weil, said their decision to leave was normal.

Five of FIFA's top-14 commercial partners have left in the past six months. Top-tier sponsors Sony and Emirates declined to renew for a two-tournament deal, also covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

It is widely expected that Samsung and Qatar Airways will step in as replacements. Russian energy company, Gazprom, has also signed a top-tier deal.

Of the eight second-tier sponsors, Budweiser and McDonald's already renewed for 2018.

Sponsor deals cover a four-year cycle of tournaments, and would typically include the Women's World Cup which will kick-off in June in Canada.