ZURICH (AP) FIFA says it suspended secretary general Jerome Valcke with immediate effect, hours after he was the subject of allegations over a deal for 2014 World Cup ticket sales.
FIFA says it has requested ''a formal investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee'' following a ''series of allegations.'' It did not specify details.
In its brief statement, FIFA says Valcke ''has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice.''
Earlier Thursday, a former FIFA ticketing partner made allegations about selling top-tier World Cup tickets at three times face value.