Sepp Blatter defied calls from FIFA sponsors Budweiser, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and Visa to quit immediately as president of world soccer’s governing body on Friday rather than cling on until the emergency election in February.
The seemingly-coordinated interventions from the long-standing corporate backers came a week after the Blatter was interrogated by Swiss investigators and placed under criminal investigation for alleged financial wrongdoing at FIFA, which he has led since 1998.
Blatter is determined to remain in power until his successor is elected on Feb. 26 and “respectfully disagrees” with sponsors who demand his immediate departure, president’s lawyer, Richard, said. “(He) 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,” Cullen said in a statement.
Coca-Cola, which has advertised in stadiums at every World Cup since 1950, was first of the sponsors to demand Blatter’s resignation. “For the benefit of game, The Coca-Cola Company is calling for Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest,” Coca-Cola said in a statement.
That call was echoed by fast food giant McDonald’s, which has been a World Cup sponsor since 1994. “The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership,” McDonald’s said in a statement.
A further blow came from Visa, which has a FIFA deal through the 2022 World Cup. “Given the events of last week, it’s clear it would be in the best interest of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately,” Visa said.
The fourth statement was delivered by brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, whose Budweiser branding has appeared on advertising signage in World Cup stadiums since 1986. “It would be appropriate for Mr. Blatter to step down as we believe his continued presence to be an obstacle in the reform process,” the beer maker said in a statement.
While, Adidas is remaining more loyal — for now — with a statement that did not reference the embattled leader of world soccer. “FIFA must implement fundamental changes for the sake of football,” Adidas told. “Therefore, the initiated reform process must continue quickly and transparently.” Adidas has a deal with FIFA through 2030 year.
Kia, which has sponsored FIFA with corporate affiliate Hyundai since 1999, would also not discuss Blatter’s future. “We at Kia do not have any comment at the present time regarding Sepp Blatter or our current FIFA sponsorship status,” the South Korean firm said.