A-B InBev stated that "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 brewer added that "A-B InBev has been
actively engaged on the FIFA reform process both as part of a
sponsor group including Adidas, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Visa, and on an individual
basis through continued conversations with the organization."
McDonald's stated: "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."
That is a shift in tone from the fast feeder's July 17
statement, in which it said it had "expressed our concerns directly
to FIFA."
A correspondent for the BBC tweeted the following, which he said
was a response from Mr. Blatter's lawyer.
The calls for immediate resignation come after Swiss authorities
recently started criminal proceedings against Mr. Blatter. U.S.
officials earlier this year accused FIFA officials of a vast
corruption scheme in which bribes and kickbacks influenced major
decisions such as holding the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
As the Guardian
reported last week, "After arriving to question Mr. Blatter at
FIFA's opulent Zurich HQ and seizing his computer, the office of
the Swiss attorney general said it had opened proceedings against
him 'on suspicion of criminal mismanagement' and 'suspicion of
misappropriation.' "
Mr. Blatter was due to step down in February. But
Reuters reported earlier this week that he "has not ruled out
trying to stay on as FIFA's president beyond February's scheduled
election, despite facing a criminal investigation and a possible
internal ethics probe."