Blatter refuses to bow to sponsor pressure

Sepp Blatter is refusing to step down as president of FIFA, despite receiving yet more criticism for his leadership. Four of the football world governing body’s main sponsors urged him to resign immediately. It’s after an investigation was opened against the 79-year-old by Swiss authorities, who allege that he signed a contract “unfavourable to FIFA”, and made a “disloyal payment” to Michel Platini, the head of UEFA, charges which Blatter denies. McDonald’s claimed it would be “in the best interest of the game” for him to leave, after Coca-Cola said “every day that passes, FIFA’s image and reputation continues to tarnish.” However, in a statement made through his lawyer, Blatter said he “respectfully disagrees.”