FIFA Sacks Secretary General Jerome Valcke

FIFA has relieved Secretary-General Jerome Valcke of his duty with immediate effect. The decision came after FIFA’s Ethics Committee opened formal proceedings last week against Valcke. The Committee’s investigators had recommended a nine-year ban over accusations of corruption involving the sale of World Cup tickets. The Frenchman, who has denied any wrongdoing in several alleged offenses, also faces a 100,000 Swiss franc (approx £68,000) fine on charges including conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits. A FIFA statement said, “The FIFA emergency committee decided to dismiss Jerome Valcke from the position of FIFA secretary general with immediate effect. Jerome Valcke is therefore no longer the secretary general of FIFA. “The employment relationship between FIFA and Jerome Valcke has also been terminated. “The duties of the secretary general will continue to be assumed by the acting secretary general, Dr Markus Kattner.” Valcke was originally suspended on September 17 for 90 days and the suspension was extended further by 45 days earlier this month. He was suspended after e-mails and documents were released which suggested he was aware that a Swiss marketing company was selling off World Cup and Confederation Cup tickets for almost five times their face.