An employee of FIFA has been suspended after he was allegedly arrested on suspicion of having sex with a minor while in Miami on business. Federal investigators from Homeland Security Investigations arrested Jack Edward Coles on Friday at a hotel close to FIFA’s Coral Gables headquarters, according to the Miami Herald.
Coles is a project manager for FIFA Sound, which is in charge of planning the music for the global football organization’s broadcasts and events.
Coles was registered as an inmate in the Federal Detention Center in Miami on Thursday, according to prison records.
In October of last year, Coles, 39, a British man, allegedly tried to meet up with a 14-year-old boy he met on a men’s dating app. After allegedly telling the FIFA employee that he was sixteen, the teenager contacted federal investigators.
The Associated Press obtained a statement from FIFA.
“FIFA is aware of ongoing legal proceedings in Miamia.
“The alleged offenses are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at FIFA.”
“The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties. FIFA has no further comment at this stage.”