FIFA probe: Top official linked to $10m bank transfer

FIFA’s secretary general has been linked to $10m in bank transactions in a bribery investigation, according to reports. Jerome Valcke is described in an indictment filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, as an unidentified “high-ranking FIFA official” who in 2008 transferred the sum to another FIFA official, Jack Warner. According to the New York Times, Mr Valcke has insisted he did not authorise the payment and did not have the power to do so. Mr Valcke is not named as a defendant and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Let’s be clear, if this atmosphere prevails at FIFA, I have no place there. If you are faced with an abscess, simple medication does not suffice. You have to cut it open.

FIFA medical chief Michel D'Hooghe

Following the news FIFA announced that its secretary general would not be attending the opening of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. Mr Warner, a former vice president of football’s world governing body, is among 14 FIFA officials and corporate executives charged by the US Department of Justice with running a criminal enterprise that involved more than $150m in bribes.

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