Top FIFA Executive Jérôme Valcke Placed on Leave

Photo Jerome Valcke is the highest-ranking official to leave FIFA since May, when the United States announced corruption charges against some of the sport’s most powerful officials. Credit Maxim Zmeyev/Reuters Jérôme Valcke, the second highest ranking official at FIFA, was placed on immediate leave and will be investigated for alleged corruption involving the black-market sale of World Cup tickets, world soccer’s governing body announced Thursday.

FIFA announced Mr. Valcke’s departure in a brief statement posted on its website. It said that Mr. Valcke had been relieved of his duties effective immediately and noted that FIFA had been “made aware of a series of allegations involving the…