Ethics committee opens formal proceedings against Secretary General Valcke

THE ethics court of football’s governing body, Fifa, on Thursday opened formal proceedings against the world body’s suspended secretary-general Jerome Valcke, who has been accused of involvement in profiting from World Cup tickets.

Valcke is alleged to have been linked to a scheme that meant to sell tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil at above their face value prior to the contract being cancelled before any were sold.

“The chairman of the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee, Dr Cornel Borbely, has concluded his investigation”, Federation Internationale de Football Association said in a statement on Tuesday.

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Fifa investigators have called for a nine-year ban from any football activity for Mr Valcke along with a fine of Sf100,000 ($99,000).

‘Until a formal decision is taken by the adjudicatory chamber of the ethics committee, Mr Valcke is presumed innocent’.

Several emails and other documents have been released that suggested Valcke knew about the Swiss marketing business that was selling World Cup and Confederation Cup tickets for almost five times the original cost.

Valcke is alleged to have worked with Israeli-American sports marketing… He has denied any wrongdoing.

Valcke’s initial suspension began in mid-September and officially expired at midnight yesterday.

Blatter and Platini were banned for eight years for offences including conflict of interest surrounding a £1.3million payment, signed off by Blatter, made to the Frenchman in 2011.

“In this day and age, to have an oral agreement is totally irresponsible”, he said.