Jérôme Valcke
Jérôme Valcke began his professional life as a journalist for the French television station Canal+. From 1991 until 1997, he held the office of deputy chief of sport at that network. The year 1997 marked a significant shift when he took over the position of chief executive officer at Sport+, another media entity. This transition from reporting on sports to managing them set the stage for his future entry into international administration. His background in television journalism provided him with industry connections and an understanding of broadcast rights before he ever stepped foot inside FIFA headquarters.
In the summer of 2003, Valcke switched to the international football federation FIFA in Zürich and took the position of Director of Marketing & TV. He operated under the presidency of Sepp Blatter during this initial tenure. A New York court found on the 7th of December 2006 that Valcke had lied in his role as marketing director for negotiating sponsor agreements with the rival VISA. These negotiations violated the existing agreement of FIFA conducted with the long-time partner MasterCard. Because of this breach, FIFA was fined USD$60 million by the court ruling. Despite the legal defeat, Valcke protested his innocence stating I feel I am clean. He did not have the feeling that we have been so dirty according to his own words. FIFA president Sepp Blatter released Valcke along with three other employees on the 12th of December 2006 from his job as marketing director. The organization stated that Fifa cannot possibly accept such conduct among its own employees. An appeal and further legal proceedings eventually led to a settlement between FIFA, Visa and MasterCard on the 21st of June for US$90 million.
Despite the scandal surrounding his departure from marketing, Valcke was installed as FIFA's general secretary at the meeting of FIFA's Executive Committee on the 27th of June 2007. This appointment was proposed by FIFA President Sepp Blatter and elected him as the successor of Urs Linsi who stepped down on the 11th of June 2007. Markus Kattner, FIFA's chief of finance had acted as interim general secretary between 11 and the 27th of June 2007 before handing over duties. Valcke is the first general secretary of FIFA since 1956 who wasn't born in Switzerland. The appointment surprised some experts given his recent history. FIFA president Blatter said Strong people bring you back when discussing the decision. Blatter noted that when Valcke began work four and a half years ago they were in a financial crisis but now held an equity of CHF 752 million. Valcke responded to his promotion with the statement It is like a dream for me during a press conference in Zurich.
On the 30th of May 2011, FIFA Executive Committee member Jack Warner leaked an email from Valcke which suggested that Qatar had bought the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Warner had been suspended that day for possible ethics violations pending an investigation. Valcke subsequently issued a statement denying any suggestions that pay off took place. He claimed instead that the country had used its financial muscle to lobby for support. Qatar officials similarly denied all media-perpetuated mischief allegations regarding the bidding process. This incident cast a long shadow over Valcke's reputation within the organization even as he continued to hold power. The leak exposed internal communications that contradicted public statements made by both parties involved in the selection process.
On the 27th of May 2015, the United States Department of Justice unsealed an indictment following the arrest of several past and present FIFA officials. It stated that a high-ranking FIFA official caused payments totalling US$10 million to be paid to bank accounts controlled by Warner. FIFA denied that Valcke was involved initially while Valcke stated that he had not authorized the payment and had no power to do so. However it later transpired that South African Football Association President Dr. Molefi Olphant had written to Valcke on the 4th of March 2008 requesting that US$10 million be diverted from the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee's future budget towards a Diaspora Legacy Programme Fund operated by then CONCACAF President Jack Warner. The U.S. indictment stated Co-Conspirator #1 understood the offer to be in exchange for the agreement of WARNER, Co-Conspirator #1, and Co-Conspirator #17 to all vote for South Africa rather than Morocco to host the 2010 World Cup. This connection between the payment and the voting decision formed the core of the federal charges against him.
On the 17th of September 2015, FIFA stated that Valcke had been put on leave and released from his duties until further notice. The decision was made by the FIFA Emergency Committee after allegations implicated Valcke of selling World Cup tickets for above face value. On the 8th of October 2015, the investigatory arm of the FIFA Ethics Committee suspended him from all football for 90 days. That ban extended for another 45 days upon expiry before his case passed to the adjudicatory arm for formal proceedings. Recommendations included banning him from all football for nine years and fining him 100,000 Swiss francs. On the 13th of January 2016 he was dismissed as Secretary General and his employment at FIFA terminated with immediate effect. On the 12th of January 2016 Valcke was banned by the FIFA Ethics Committee until 2028 and fined 100,000 Swiss francs. He appealed this ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on the 28th of February 2017 but lost when CAS dismissed the appeal on the 27th of July 2018 upholding the original ruling.
On the 14th of September 2020 the Swiss Federal Court started to prosecute both Valcke and Nasser Al-Khelaifi based on charges related to a meeting on the 24th of October 2013. This meeting occurred at the French headquarters of beIN where Al-Khelaifi allegedly promised to purchase a villa in Porto Cervo Sardinia for €5m. The property was to be utilized by Valcke through a rental contract signed by Abdelkader Bessedik in exchange for granting screening rights to beIN Media. In the meantime Valcke was also accused of accepting $1.5 million in bribes from Greek businessman Dinos Deris. These funds were meant to help him pay his $11m personal debt stemming from purchases including two homes worth CHF 7m and a boat valued at more than CHF 2m. On the 24th of March 2021 his first suspension which was due to expire in October 2025 was extended by six years until 2031. These proceedings continue to define his legal standing well beyond his initial dismissal from FIFA.
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Common questions
Who is Jérôme Valcke and what was his role at FIFA?
Jérôme Valcke served as the general secretary of FIFA from 2007 until his dismissal in January 2016. He previously worked as the Director of Marketing & TV for the organization starting in 2003.
When did Jérôme Valcke leave his position as marketing director at FIFA?
FIFA president Sepp Blatter released Jérôme Valcke from his job as marketing director on the 12th of December 2006 following a court ruling that he had lied about negotiating sponsor agreements with VISA.
Why was Jérôme Valcke banned from football by FIFA?
The FIFA Ethics Committee suspended Jérôme Valcke from all football for nine years and fined him 100,000 Swiss francs due to allegations involving selling World Cup tickets above face value and accepting bribes.
What legal issues did Jérôme Valcke face regarding the 2010 World Cup vote?
A United States Department of Justice indictment stated that payments totaling US$10 million were made to bank accounts controlled by Jack Warner in exchange for votes supporting South Africa over Morocco to host the 2010 World Cup.
How long is Jérôme Valcke's current ban from football activities?
Jérôme Valcke received a ban until 2031 after the Swiss Federal Court extended his initial suspension which was originally set to expire in October 2025 by six years on the 24th of March 2021.