Sepp Blatter was staring at the prospect of an immediate end to his time as FIFA president after several of the organisation’s biggest sponsors called on him to stand down immediately.

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In what appeared an orchestrated action, Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald’s all issued statements saying Blatter should resign immediately after a week which has seen criminal proceedings opened against him in Switzerland.

Blatter’s immediate response was to insist that he is staying in office until February but the action of such high-profile sponsors will crank up the pressure on the 79-year-old to an intense degree.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said this should now be the end of the road for Blatter.

Dyke said: “I think this is a game changer. It doesn’t matter what Mr Blatter says now – if the people who pay for FIFA want a change they will get a change.

“What is important is that it isn’t just about Mr Blatter standing down – it’s about making sure there is a comprehensive and effective reform programme. So for those of us who want fundamental change this is good news.”

Coca-Cola, one of FIFA’s oldest sponsors, took the first step, saying: “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.”

McDonald’s added: “The events of recent weeks have continued to diminish the reputation of FIFA and public confidence in its leadership.”

Visa soon followed with its own statement, saying: “Given the events of the last week, it is clear it would be in the best interests of FIFA and the sport for Sepp Blatter to step down immediately.”

Blatter’s United States-based lawyer Richard Cullen said in a statement: “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.”