FIFA president Sepp Blatter asked to resign by top sponsors

FIFA sponsors Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Visa and Budweiser have urged outgoing president Sepp Blatter to step down with immediate effect.

The companies joined calls on Friday for Blatter to resign after Swiss authorities said they had opened criminal proceedings against the head of the world football governing body.

Later on Friday evening, Blatter, who has denied any wrongdoing, insisted his early departure would not be happening.

In a statement from Blatter's United States-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."

FIFA's sponsors pour millions of pounds into the organisation and their public calls for change will turn up the heat on Blatter.

For those of us who want fundamental change this is good news

American drinks company Coca-Cola, one of five top-tier FIFA global partners, said: "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.

"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."

In an emailed statement, McDonald's, a second-tier sponsor, added: "The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership.

"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."

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said this should now be the end of the road for Blatter.

Dyke said: "This is 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.

"What is important is that 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."

Anheuser-Busch InBev, who own a number of brewers including Budweiser, said: "Following recent developments, [we] believe it would be appropriate for Mr. Blatter to step down as we believe his continued presence to be an obstacle in the reform process. We strongly support the call for an independent reform process."

Visa followed with its own statement, saying; "Given the events of the last week, it is clear it would be in the best interests of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately."

Blatter is suspected of criminal mismanagement or misappropriation over a TV rights deal he signed with former Caribbean football chief Jack Warner in 2005 and of "a disloyal payment" in 2011 of 2 million Swiss francs (£1.35m) to current UEFA president and FIFA presidential candidate Michel Platini for work allegedly carried out by the Frenchman between 1999 and 2002.

The pair are also understood to be under investigation by FIFA's ethics committee.