Coca-Cola and McDonald's call on Fifa president Sepp Blatter to step down immediately
Fifa sponsors Coca-Cola and McDonald's have called for the resignation of controversial president Sepp Blatter with immediate effect.
Coca-Cola, an official Fifa partner, said on Friday (2 October) that Blatter’s “departure would allow a “credible and sustainable reform process.”
“Every day that passes, the image and reputation of Fifa continues to tarnish,” Coca-Cola said in a statement. “Fifa needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.”
Meanwhile, McDonald's an official sponsor of the sporting body's 2018 World Cup Finals tournament echoed the statement and said: "The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of Fifa and public confidence in its leadership.”
The president of football’s governing body has been shrouded in scandal following an FBI investigation earlier this year which unearthed evidence of bribes and kickbacks.
In the immediate aftermath, Blatter announced on 2 June he would end his 17-year tenure, after he was re-elected, only to make a U-turn and resume his position as the boss of world football.
However, last week the Swiss authorities launched criminal proceedings agains Blatter relating to allegations of “disloyal payment" of 2m Swiss francs (£1.3m) to UEFA president Michel Platini.
Despite this, Blatter has maintained that he will not stand down until February 2016 when a sucessor is named.
Fifa sponsors have faced criticism in the past for not putting enough pressure on Blatter to resign and for Fifa to reform.