Football
ESPN staff 8y

FIFA president Sepp Blatter rejects sponsors' demands for him to quit now

ZURICH -- FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Visa and Anheuser-Busch all called on Friday for Sepp Blatter to resign his position immediately, though the FIFA president quickly rejected the demands.

The first interventions come a week after Blatter was placed under criminal investigation by the Swiss authorities for alleged financial wrongdoing at FIFA, which he has led since 1998.

The 79-year-old Swiss told FIFA staff earlier this week he's determined to remain in power until February's emergency presidential election, but pressure from sponsors who fund the organisation could force him out before then.

Coca-Cola was first to ask Blatter to step down on Friday night.

"For the benefit of the game, the Coca-Cola Company is calling for FIFA president Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest,'' the statement said.

"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.''

Blatter has denied all wrongdoing and on Friday night reinforced his stance that he would not be stepping down straight away.

His United States-based lawyer Richard Cullen said in a statement: "While Coca-Cola is a valued sponsor of FIFA, Mr. Blatter respectfully disagrees with its position and believes firmly that his leaving office now would not be in the best interest of FIFA nor would it advance the process of reform and, therefore, he will not resign."

McDonald's, a second-tier sponsor, echoed Coca-Cola's request, saying: "The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership.

"We believe it would be in the best interest of the game for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to step down immediately so that the reform process can proceed with the credibility that is needed."

FIFA's sponsors pour millions of pounds into the organisation, and their public calls for change will turn up the heat on Blatter.

He is suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation over a TV rights deal he signed with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005 and of "a disloyal payment" in 2011 of 2 millions Swiss francs (about $2 million) to current UEFA president and FIFA presidential candidate Michel Platini for work allegedly carried out by the Frenchman between 1999 and 2002.

Blatter and Platini are also reportedly under investigation by FIFA's ethics committee.

Visa's statement said: "As we've previously said, we believe two things need to happen to ensure credible reform. First, an independent, third-party commission led by one or more impartial leaders is critical to formulate reforms. Second, we believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA's existing leadership.

"And given the events of last week, it's clear it would be in the best interests of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately."

Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Budweiser beer, wrote:

"Following recent developments, AB InBev believes it would be appropriate for Mr. Blatter to step down as we believe his continued presence to be an obstacle in the reform process. We strongly support the call for an independent reform process.

"AB InBev has been actively engaged on the FIFA reform process both as part of a sponsor group including Adidas, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and VISA, and on an individual basis through continued conversations with the organization.

"We intend to continue to do so until the reform process has been completed."

Information from The Associated Press and Press Association was used in this report.

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