Fifa ethics team extends Jerome Valcke’s provisional ban

Suspended Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke’s provisional ban has been extended by 45 days.

The adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee extended the suspension after an investigation into Valcke was concluded on Tuesday.

The Frenchman is facing a nine-year ban after an ethics investigation into several alleged offences including being connected to black market sales of World Cup tickets.

The ethics committee’s investigatory chamber recommended a nine-year ban and a 100,000 Swiss franc fine on charges including conflicts of interest and offering and accepting gifts and other benefits.

Meanwhile, Sepp Blatter’s spokesman says it is “ridiculous” that the suspended Fifa president will not be allowed to attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich next Monday.

Klaus Stoehlker said: “It is ridiculous that he will not be able to go to the Ballon d’Or. Everybody in football will be in Zurich next week and he is banned. The award was his baby. It is very special for him.”