Sepp Blatter has refused to step down as Fifa president despite demands from four major World Cup sponsors for him to do so immediately.
Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Visa and Budweiser all called for Blatter’s resignation on Friday night after Swiss prosecutors began criminal proceedings against him last week.
After the soft drinks company became the first to tell him to go, his US-based lawyer Richard Cullen said: “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.”
But it is unclear how long the embattled 79-year-old will be able to withstand the commercial pressure of the sport’s biggest sponsors calling for his resignation.
The Football Association president, Greg Dyke, said the sponsors’ move was a game-changer.
“It doesn’t matter what Mr Blatter says now – if the people who pay for Fifa want a change they will get a change. It isn’t just about Mr Blatter standing down – it’s about making sure there is a comprehensive and effective reform programme. So for those of us who want fundamental change this is good news.”
Blatter said in June he would stand for re-election as Fifa president in 2016 but would remain in office until a ballot could be held.
“I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at Fifa,” he said at the time.
Swiss authorities have accused Blatter of making a “disloyal payment” of £1.3m to Uefa’s president, Michel Platini, in 2011 and handing a World Cup TV contract to the disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner for below market value.
Coca-Cola 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.”
The company spends about $100m (£66m) every four years in return for taking the World Cup trophy on a sponsored global tour.
Blatter was chosen in 1975 to lead Fifa’s new global development scheme called Project One , which was funded by Coca-Cola.
McDonald’s said: “The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of Fifa and public confidence in its leadership.”
For the good of the Game, Blatter should step down: http://t.co/th579JwEcY
— McDonald's (@McDonaldsCorp) October 2, 2015
Visa said it was in the best interests of Fifa and the sport for Blatter to step down immediately. Other sponsors, including Hyundai and Gazprom, are yet to follow their US counterparts in calling for him to quit.
Press Association’s chief sports reporter Martyn Ziegler tweeted:
Strange Hyundai hasn't joined in with other FIFA sponsors - Blatter critic + presidential hopeful Chung Mong-Joon is part of Hyundai dynasty
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) October 3, 2015
Kia, which is owned by Hyundai, said: “We at Kia do not have any comment at the present time regarding Sepp Blatter or our current Fifa sponsorship status.”
The company declined to comment on the future of sponsorship deal, which runs until 2022.
Adidas said: “Fifa must implement fundamental changes for the sake of football. Therefore, the initiated reform process must continue quickly and transparently.”
The German company has supplied the ball for every World Cup since 1970 and has a deal with Fifa that ends in 2030.
BBC sports editor Dan Rowan tweeted:
Action of US sponsors also raises issue of whether broadcasters (who bring more £ into FIFA than corporates) should make a stand too...
— Dan Roan (@danroan) October 3, 2015
