Coca-Cola, McDonald's, More Call for Sepp Blatter to Resign Amid Probe

The heat is intensifying on Sepp Blatter's reign as president at FIFA after two of the governing body's most influential sponsors—Coca-Cola and McDonald's—called for the controversial figure's immediate resignation. 

Coca-Cola released a statement condemning the current activity at FIFA, per Tariq Panja of Bloomberg.com, claiming Blatter's departure would allow a “credible and sustainable reform process” to begin at the crisis hit organisation: “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.”

McDonald's also spoke out against Blatter and said it believed the president must leave the organisation for the credibility of the sport, per BBC Sport:

CNBC Now reported Anheuser-Busch InBev joined Coca-Cola and McDonald's in their stance. AFP added Visa to the growing list as well.

Even so, Blatter has refused to step down, issuing a statement on the matter, via Martyn Ziegler of the Press Association:

The 79-year-old continues his duties as supremo of the beautiful game, with his lawyers adamant Blatter will continue as president despite a corruption investigation by Swiss authorities, as reported by David Conn of the Guardian, saying:

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President Blatter spoke to FIFA staff today and informed the staff that he was cooperating with the authorities, reiterated that he had done nothing illegal or improper and stated that he would remain as president of FIFA.

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Michael Probst/Associated Press

Questions have been raised about the dealings between the president and UEFA boss Michel Platini, per Conn, leading to a full investigation.

Now that two of FIFA's biggest sponsors have made their thoughts known, it may be hard for Blatter to hold onto power at the governing body. The sponsors are the most powerful entities within the sport, driving television and commercial money around the globe, and their condemnation of the president could ultimately be the catalyst for his exit.