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Washington - Key global football sponsor Coca-Cola urged FIFA to urgently regain public trust on Tuesday, after the soccer governing body's president Sepp Blatter resigned under a corruption cloud.
"We respect Mr. Blatter's decision. The announcement today is a positive step for the good of sport, football and its fans," said the soft drink giant in a statement.
"Our expectation remains that FIFA will continue to act with urgency to take concrete actions to fully address all of the issues that have been raised and win back the trust of all who love the sport of football."
Coke said Blatter's decision to step down just days after he was reelected the groups president "will help FIFA transform itself rapidly into a much-needed 21st century structure and institution."
Coke is one of several global businesses which pay an estimated $30 million a year to be official partners of FIFA, giving them the right to promote their products in football games and other events.
The others include credit card giant Visa, sportswear firm Adidas, Russian energy conglomerate Gazprom and carmaker Hyundai-Kia.
Several have criticised FIFA over the past two years over reports of mismanagement and bribery that have encircled the organization.
Adidas, the sporting goods giant whose longstanding FIFA sponsorship has threatened to darken its own image, said Tuesday it welcomes the organization's "commitment to change" after Blatter resigned.
"The Adidas Group is fully committed to creating a culture that promotes the highest standards of ethics and compliance," it said.
"Today's news marks a step in the right direction on FIFA's path to establish and follow transparent compliance standards in everything they do."
