FIFA said in a statement, on Tuesday in Berlin, Germany, that the Chairman of the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee, Cornel Borbely, has concluded his investigation. It said Borbely “recommended imposing a sanction of a nine-year ban and a fine of $99,000” on Valcke. FIFA said the fine was for a number of offences including “alleged violation of the general rules of conduct” and “accepting gifts and other benefits.” Valcke was initially suspended by FIFA for 90 days in October and as that sanction expired on Tuesday, Borbely requested an extension of a further 45 days. This is for the case to be passed to the adjudicatory chamber, chaired by Hans-Joachim Eckert of the ethics committee. In July, Valcke said he expected to leave football’s world governing body when a new president is elected to replace Joseph Blatter at an extraordinary congress next month. Blatter, who won a record fifth term on May 31 but had to quit a few days later amid corruption allegations, is facing an eight-year ban. FIFA has been facing corruption probes by investigators in the United States and Switzerland, where the organisation is based. Valcke, a close confidant of Blatter, has been secretary general since 2007 and has previously denied any wrongdoing.]]>