Coca-Cola Co. called on Friday for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to step down "immediately" in response to the widening corruption scandal at international soccer's governing body.

The beverage giant and longtime FIFA sponsor has been urging the soccer body to enact swift reforms to restore credibility, but until now had stopped short of calling publicly for Mr. Blatter's ouster.

"For the benefit of the game, The Coca-Cola Company is calling for FIFA President Joseph Blatter to step down immediately so that a credible and sustainable reform process can begin in earnest. 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," said Coke in a statement.

Write to Mike Esterl at mike.esterl@wsj.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 02, 2015 15:55 ET (19:55 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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