Coca-Cola Co., a top sponsor of FIFA, called for Joseph “Sepp” Blatter to step down immediately as president of soccer’s governing body following a scandal involving alleged bribes and kickbacks.Blatter’s departure would allow a “credible and sustainable reform process” to begin, the beverage giant said on Friday.
“Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish,” Coca-Cola said in an e-mailed statement. “FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.”

The move follows a push by Coca-Cola for FIFA to adopt an independent commission that can reform the organization and “win back the trust of all who love the sport.” FIFA -- the organization behind the World Cup tournament, the most watched sporting event -- faces a corruption investigation in the U.S. and Switzerland. Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal probe into Blatter last week.
Sponsors such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s Corp. and Visa Inc. pay tens of millions of dollars annually to associate with FIFA and the tournament.
Blatter, who took over in 1998, was planning to stay at FIFA until a replacement is elected in February but has said he won’t run for re-election.