Former FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke handed 12-year ban

FIFA's ex-general secretary, Jerome Valcke, has been given a 12-year ban by the governing body, prohibiting the French administrator from any involvement in football-related activity.

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee announced the decision Friday, with the ban coming into immediate effect.

Valcke was investigated following allegations of potential misconduct regarding the sale of World Cup tickets. The investigation's final report was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber Jan. 5.

"During the course of the investigations, several other acts of potential misconduct arose, in particular abuse of the FIFA travel expenses policies and regulations, cases involving related-parties issues and the sale of TV and other media rights, and the destruction of evidence," a statement on FIFA's website read Friday.

"Amongst other things, the adjudicatory chamber found that a sports marketing firm had gained an undue advantage from the selling of FIFA World Cup tickets. In this respect, not only did Mr Valcke do nothing to stop these activities, he even encouraged the persons responsible to do so."

FIFA maintains Valcke also used organizational funds for the purpose of sightseeing and private flights.

Valcke, who was named FIFA's secretary general in 2007, spent eight years with the governing body before being sacked on Jan. 13, 2016.

In light of his involvement in unethical practices, Valcke agreed to step down in February during the same congress in which sullied FIFA chief Sepp Blatter promised to retire.

In addition to the 12-year ban, Valcke has been fined CHF 100,000.