Three of FIFA's biggest corporate sponsors McDonald's, Coca Cola and Visa have called on Sepp Blatter to resign immediately after Swiss authorities launched a criminal investigation into the FIFA President.
But the 79-year-old Swiss said leaving now would not be in the 'best interests' of the organisation.
The three corporate giants accused Blatter of 'tarnishing' FIFA's reputation and claimed that the organisation required 'urgent reform'.
A spokesman for Coca-Cola said
: '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 said Blatter needed to go immediately. 'The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership.'
US credit card giant Visa became the third top FIFA sponsor to demand Sepp Blatter's immediate resignation on Friday, following calls for the football chief to quit by Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
A Visa spokesman said: 'We believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA's existing leadership. And given the events of last week, it's clear it would be in the best interests of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately.'
Sponsors Hyundai, Adidas and Gazprom have not yet made any comment.However, Blatter's lawyer released a statement rejecting the calls for his resignation.
Richard Cullen, who is representing the FIFA president 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.'
The 79-year-old Swiss told Fifa staff earlier this week he's determined to remain in power until February's emergency presidential election, but pressure from sponsors who fund the organisation could force him out before then.
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