Sports

FIFA suspends Blatter’s ally over ticket scandal

Published

9 years ago

September 18, 2015

World soccer governing body, FIFA, on Thursday stripped top executive Jerome Valcke of his duties after allegations emerged connecting the 54-year-old to a plan to sell World Cup tickets for more than their face value.
Valcke, who works closely with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has denied the allegations, which according to the Guardian, were made by a ticketing partner of FIFA’s official hospitality agency for the 2014 tournament.
After learning of the allegations Thursday, FIFA acted quickly.
“FIFA today announced that its Secretary General Jerome Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice,” the organization said in a statement. “Further, FIFA has been made aware of a series of allegations involving the Secretary General and has requested a formal investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee.”
Cornel Borbely, the Ethics Committee’s lead investigator, will lead the investigation, the Guardian reports.

It has been a rough week for FIFA, which made headlines earlier this week when U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said she expects more indictments to come in an ongoing American-led investigation into corruption at the organization.
Already, 20 individuals have been indicted in connection with the $150 million bribery scheme, including three FIFA vice presidents and other former executives.
Neither Valcke nor Blatter have been connected to the U.S. case yet, although they still could be, according to Lynch.
“Our message is clear: no individual is impervious to the law. No corrupt organization is beyond its reach,” Lynch said, speaking in Zurich where FIFA is headquartered. “And no criminal act can evade the concerted efforts of dedicated men and women fighting for justice.”

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