FIFA has fired its secretary general Jerome Valcke, who is under investigation for alleged corruption involving World Cup ticket sales. The Frenchman was asked to go on leave by FIFA in September over allegations that he helped sell the 2014 World Cup tickets on the black market, reported AFP. He was then suspended for 90 days in October and 45 days last week. He was also banned from all football activities.

Valcke was once one of the most powerful men in the world football governing body and effectively the number two behind president Sepp Blatter, who was also banned for eight years. Valcke was responsible for ensuring that preparations for the last two World Cups, in South Africa and Brazil, were completed in time, reported Reuters.

Last week FIFA's ethics judges announced they had opened formal proceedings against Valcke, who has denied any wrongdoing in the past.