US credit card giant Visa has become the third top FIFA sponsor to demand Sepp Blatter's immediate resignation today, following calls for the football chief to quit by Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
"We believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA's existing leadership," Visa said in a statement. "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."
McDonald's and Coca-Cola called for Blatter to resign immediately after Swiss authorities said they had opened a criminal investigation into the head of the world soccer body.
McDonald's said: "The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership."
The fast food giant's comment came after the Coca-Cola Co made the same plea for Mr Blatter to step down, increasing pressure on the football organisation to make changes at the top.
"Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish," Coca-Cola said in a statement.
"FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach."
A lawyer for Mr Blatter has said the FIFA president will not resign following the calls from Coca-Cola and McDonalds to do so.
"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," Mr Blatter's New York attorney Richard Cullen said in a statement.
