FIFA suspends secretary general

GENEVA (AP) — FIFA suspended its top official Jerome Valcke and ordered an investigation into alleged unethical conduct on Thursday, throwing world soccer’s scandal-scarred governing body into further turmoil.

Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general for the past eight years under President Sepp Blatter, was hours earlier the subject of allegations over a deal for 2014 World Cup ticket sales on the black market.

“FIFA today announced that its Secretary General Jerome Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice,” it said in a brief statement which did not specify details.