FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale claimed that the organisation’s sponsors are exerting too much power yesterday by calling for Sepp Blatter to quit immediately as president.

Four of Fifa’s biggest sponsors — Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald’s — issued simultaneous statements last month calling for Blatter to go immediately after criminal proceedings were opened against him by the Swiss authorities.

Sexwale, the South African former anti-apartheid activist and government minister who is one of seven candidates to replace Blatter, said that was a step too far.

He said: “I want to prevent the unintended consequences of sponsor activism within Fifa.

“They did say Blatter must go. If he doesn’t go they withdraw their money. They are correct to have their concerns. It is their money.

“[But] if they can say a president must go they’re close to appointing the next president.

“The president will no longer be chosen by the popular vote. That must not happen because you will be controlled by sponsors.”