Agence France Presse
New York, Oct 3: Top FIFA sponsors joined forces to demand Sepp Blatter’s immediate resignation as the body’s president, dealing a fresh blow to the scandal-tainted world football chief even as he vowed to cling to power.
In separate statements issued one week after criminal proceedings were launched against Blatter in Switzerland, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Visa and Budweiser all called on the 79-year-old to step down Friday.
In a statement issued by his US lawyer in reaction to the sponsor demands, Blatter defiantly vowed to remain in office.
“For the benefit of the game, Coca-Cola is calling for FIFA president Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest,” the soft drinks giant said in a release here. “FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach,” it added.
McDonald’s said the recent wave of headlines meant that Blatter, who had vowed to remain in the post until the election of his successor early next year, could not continue.
“The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership,” the US fast-food leader said. “We believe it would be in the best interest of the game for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to step down immediately.”
Statements which were supported by VISA and Budweiser and both stated that with Blatter at the helm, reforms within FIFA were not possible. However, it was not clear whether the FIFA sponsors based outside the United States, including Hyundai, Adidas and Gazprom would follow suit.
However, Blatter’s attorney here, Richard Cullen swiftly issued a statement saying the FIFA chief had no plans to relinquish his position.
“Blatter 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,” a statement released by the attorney’s office here Friday said.
