FIFA suspended its secretary general, Jerome Valcke, and ordered an investigation into alleged unethical conduct Thursday in a move that sent the world soccer governing body into further turmoil, as reported by the Associated Press.

Valcke held the post of secretary general under president Sepp Blatter for eight years. Hours before he was suspended, he became the subject of alleagations overa deal for black market sales of tickets to 2014 World Cup matches.

"FIFA today announced that its Secretary general Jerom Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice," FIFA said in a brief statement.

"Further, FIFA has been made aware of a series of allegations involving the secretary general and has requested a formal investigation by the FIFA Ethics Committee."

As noted by the AP, the 55-year-old Frenchman's main duty was overseeing organization of the world's largest sporting spectacle - the World Cup - which earned FIFA an estimated $5 billion for the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

The report also points out that the allegations Valcke is now facing threatens to cut short his reign as secretary general six months short. He was scheduled to leave FIFA on Feb. 26, the same day Blatter is slated to leave his post as FIFA president.

Allegations about Valcke supplying top-category tickets to matches in Brazil were made by a former FIFA ticketing partner early Thursday. It was said that the tickets were sold at three times its face value.

According to the report, marketing executive Benny Alon made an unproven allegation that Valcke set himself up to profit personally from the deal. Alon circulated a contract seen by the AP, to receive 8,750 of the best tickets for each World Cup from 2010 to 2018.

"The panel points out - as a matter of principle - it will analyze all information that is brought to its attention of its own accord," the FIFA Ethics Committee said in a statement.