FIFA has suspended a high-profile match official following his arrest in London for the alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy. The official was part of the elite panel selected for the upcoming men’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
The world football governing body confirmed on Tuesday that it is "aware of the serious allegation" first reported by the British newspaper The Sun. Following the arrest, FIFA stated that the official will be excluded from all competition matches effective immediately.
The Metropolitan Police in London reportedly released the suspect, a man in his 30s, on bail. Neither the official’s identity nor the specific UEFA European competition game he was officiating at the time of the arrest has been disclosed.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, expressed "great concern" and confirmed that they have also removed the official from their selection list. "We are monitoring the situation closely as this is part of an active investigation," a UEFA spokesperson said.
The official was among the 170 referees and assistants recently chosen for the 104-game tournament spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The World Cup is set to kick off on June 11.
Despite the off-field controversy, excitement for the tournament continues to build. England, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, is preparing to end a 60-year trophy drought.
The "Three Lions" will begin their campaign against Croatia on June 17, followed by group matches against Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27.
