February 13 – FIFA has suspended a British staffer following a report that federal agents in the USA had arrested him for alleged sex with a minor. The Miami Herald claimed Jack Coles met a 14-year-old boy for sex at a hotel when he was in the city on business last year, according to court records.
Coles, project lead at FIFA Sound which organises music for FIFA events including the World Cup, has been arrested on one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activities and a count of travelling to the United States with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
“FIFA is aware of ongoing legal proceedings in Miami. The alleged offences are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at FIFA,” the organisation said in a statement.
“The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties. FIFA has no further comment at this stage.”
In 2024 FIFA moved its entire legal department and its audit, compliance and risk management teams away from its Zurich headquarters to Coral Gables near Miami ahead of the United States hosting the expanded Club World Cup in 2025 and sharing the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
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