New York: The major soccer sponsors on Friday issued coordinated calls for the immediate resignation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter for the most significant move by companies supporting the sport since a bribe and corruption scandal erupted at world football’s governing body last May.
Visa (V.N), McDonald’s(MCD.N), Coca-Cola Co(KO.N) and Budweiser owner Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI.BR), companies that have linked their brand names with the sport on Friday demanded Blatter to resign immediately in a strong push for change at the organization. Earlier Blatter announced that he would resign in Feburary next year.
The statements made by sponsors were all in same tone came just a week after Swiss authorities said they were opening a criminal investigation into Blatter, the 79-year-old Swiss national who lead FIFA for the past 17 years.
“Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish,” Coca Cola said. “FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.”
Visa and McDonald’s joined the call for Blatter to step aside.
“The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership,” McDonald’s said in an emailed statement.