I will not resign, Blatter tells Coca-Cola, Mcdonalds

The embattled FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has responded to a call from some major sponsors of the world football governing body’s tournaments, among them Coca-Cola to step down immediately.

McDonald’s (MCD), Visa (V) and Anheuser-Busch (BUD) also issued calls for Blatter’s resignation shortly after the Coca-Cola statement came out.

A spokesperson for Blatter 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,”

The statements came after last week’s announcement that Blatter is now the subject of a Swiss criminal investigation.

Advertisers pay millions of dollars each year to partner with FIFA and said they’d become concerned about reforming FIFA when Joseph “Sepp” Blatter became embroiled in a scandal involving alleged bribes.

“For the benefit of the game, The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is calling for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest,” a spokesperson for the company had 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.”

Read also: I’m not ready to step down says Blatter

A McDonald’s spokesperson agreed that recent events had diminished FIFA’s reputation and public confidence.

“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,” the spokesperson added.

Visa and Anheuser-Busch also released similar statements.

Anheuser-Busch also said it has been working with Adidas, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and VISA to reform FIFA and will continue to do so.

Blatter, the association’s eighth president, has served since 1998 and was reelected in May. He announced his resignation in June, but said he will hold the position until a replacement is elected.

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