Valcke was placed on indefinite leave earlier this week following accusations he was involved in a scheme to sell World Cup tickets for above their face value, and faces a formal investigation by FIFA's Ethics Committee.

E-mails and documents were released which suggested that Valcke knew tickets were being sold by Swiss firm JB Sports Marketing AG for up to five times their worth. 

The Frenchman, who is President Sepp Blatter’s right-hand man and is tasked with the day-to-day running of world football’s governing body, has dismissed the allegations as "fabricated" and "outrageous".

It has now been claimed that Valcke, who has three years left on his contract, wanted to be paid out in full for the remainder of his deal. 

FIFA has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption since May, when several officials were arrested on the eve of its Congress in Zurich.

Nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives have been indicted in the United States and charged with offences including money laundering, racketeering and wire fraud.

"The reputational damage to FIFA continues," Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who is standing in next February's FIFA Presidential election, said in a statement. 

"Surely it is time for a new generation with new ideas to take over.

"The old regime should step aside now, so a new team can effect a complete reform of the organisation to reflect the change that the national associations and fans of the game around the world are calling for."

Blatter has emailed FIFA staff saying the organisation can recover from the "present difficult situation" and "restore its reputation for the good of the game".

The 79-year-old Swiss has also told colleagues he will not leave his homeland while criminal investigations into FIFA remain ongoing. 

Blatter was due to be in Moscow yesterday to attend a celebration marking 1,000 days to go until the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but is understood to have been advised by his US lawyers to stay in Switzerland. 

He insists however that preparations for the tournament, for which Valcke was partly responsible for overseeing, remain on course.

"Russia, the host cities and FIFA have been working together to prepare a successful tournament in 2018, when fans from all over the planet will come together in the world’s biggest country for the 21st global showpiece," said Blatter.

"Given the current level of preparations, we are fully confident that Russia will prove to be an excellent host both for the teams and the fans."

Markus Kattner, FIFA's deputy general secretary, will temporarily take over the duties of Valcke, who has held his position since 2007. 



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