Coca-Cola has become the first FIFA sponsor to call on Sepp Blatter to immediately stand down as president of world soccer’s governing body.
The intervention from the soft drinks giant comes a week after the FIFA president was placed under criminal investigation by the Swiss authorities.
Coca-Cola says it is
...calling for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest.
Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish. FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.
McDonald’s joined in with their statement
The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership.
Meanwhile AFP reports quotes lawyers are saying that FIFA President Sepp Blatter won’t resign after the sponsors demand.
Blatter, under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities, has held the presidency of world soccer’s governing body since 1998 and previously served since 1981 as secretary general, the organisation’s No. 2 position.
Four days after winning a fifth term, Blatter rocked the world of soccer in June by saying he would step down in the wake of corruption investigations by U.S. and Swiss authorities. He remains in office ahead of a scheduled February election.
Swiss prosecutors led by Attorney General Michael Lauber said last week they had opened a criminal investigation into Blatter on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. Authorities interrogated Blatter at FIFA headquarters and seized unspecified data from his office.
(With agency inputs)
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