FIFA SACKS SUSPENDED SECRETARY JEROME VALCKE

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke looks away from FIFA

FIFA has sacked secretary general Jerome Valcke with immediate effect.

The decision comes after FIFA's ethics committee opened formal proceeding  against Mr Valcke, after its investigators 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 offences, also faces a 100,000 Swiss franc (approx £68,000) fine on charges including conflicts of interest, and offering and accepting gifts and other benefit
 FIFA said: "The FIFA emergency committee decided to sack Mr Valcke from the position of FIFA secretary general with immediate effect. Mr Valcke is no longer the secretary general of FIFA.
"The employment relationship between FIFA and Mr 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 for 90 days on September 17, and that suspension was extended for 45 days earlier this month.
He was suspended after emails 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 value.
The emails and documents show Valcke signed off contracts with Swiss firm JB Sports Marketing AG for category one tickets for a number of matches.
The company also claims it entered into a profit-sharing agreement with Valcke - though no money changed hands - and he strongly denies asking for or receiving any money from JB Sports.
It is believed in some quarters that Mr Valcke's involvement in ticketing scandal and his subsequent dismissal is another significant black mark against disgraced former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.