One of the key men within FIFA has been released from his duties, after allegations he was involved in plans to effectively ticket tout.

Jerome Valcke, who is the secretary general of football's world governing body, has been accused of being part of a scheme to sell World Cup seats above face value. He denies the allegations.

FIFA says he has been "put on leave", and a formal investigation will be carried out by its ethics committee.

In a statement they said: "FIFA today announced that its Secretary General Jérôme Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice. Further, FIFA has been made aware of a series of allegations involving the Secretary General and has requested a formal investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee."