FIFA's four U.S.-based sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald's on Friday called on the body's embattled president Joseph "Sepp" Blatter to resign immediately.
"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 U.S. giant said in a statement, according to AFP.
"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," it said.
"We believe it would be in the best interest of the game of the FIFA President Sepp Blatter to step down immediately so that the reform process can proceed with the credibility that is needed," McDonald said in a statement, according to Euronews.
The sponsors' call came just a week after Swiss prosecutors said that they began criminal proceedings against Blatter, reported BBC News. He is accused of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation of FIFA's funds.
The 79-year-old rejected the call for his resignation and vowed to continue as FIFA chief until the election, scheduled in February 2016.
"While Coca-Cola is a valued sponsor of FIFA, 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. Therefore, he will not resign," said Richard Cullen, Blatter's attorney, according to Bloomberg.
