McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Visa and Anheuser-Busch were emphatic in their request to see Sepp Blatter resign as president of FIFA, world football's governing body.
“Every day that passes, the image and reputation of FIFA continues to tarnish,” Coca-Cola said in a news release, per New York Times. “FIFA needs comprehensive and urgent reform, and that can only be accomplished through a truly independent approach.”
2018, 2022 World Cup Will Continue As Planned
McDonald’s believed it would “be in the best interest of the game” if Blatter stepped down immediately. Visa said, “we believe no meaningful reform can be made under FIFA’s existing leadership.”
Blatter, however, was not about that life, refusing to acquiesce to their demands.
Michel Platini Sold Out Sepp Blatter
Breaking: Full statement from Sepp Blatter's lawyer on calls from Coca Cola and McDonalds to step down immediately. pic.twitter.com/As3y91c0Lj
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) October 2, 2015
Five days later, his defiance came to a screeching halt.
A close friend & advisor to Sepp Blatter has told Sky News the FIFA President has been suspended for 90 days by FIFA ethics committee 1/2
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) October 7, 2015
2/2 Klaus Stoehlker says Blatter suspended pending further investigation by Swiss prosecutors. More on @SkyNews shortly
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) October 7, 2015
Clarification: understand Blatter suspension recommended by investigatory chamber of ethics committee. Has to be confirmed by Judge Eckert
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) October 7, 2015
The news -- for all football fans -- was cause for celebration.
Sepp Blatter’s reign of terror at #FIFA may finally be coming to an end pic.twitter.com/Qr13Ss1fTr
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 7, 2015
Goodbye for now, Sepp... pic.twitter.com/jhkoVB2vjf
— Copa90 (@Copa90) October 7, 2015
If FIFA worked like the NFL, Sepp Blatter would hear Sepp Blatter’s appeal about the suspension of Sepp Blatter.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 7, 2015
And yet, despite FIFA’s announcement, the underlying issue remains: is this enough to satisfy the organization’s four biggest sponsors?
Visa, McDonald’s, Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola all demanded swift and severe action from FIFA. A 90-day suspension is nothing more than a light slap on the hand, especially for a man of Blatter’s stature.
Unless sponsors denounce Wednesday’s decision, nothing will prevent the most corrupt man in football from returning to his post in 2016.
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