A FIFA employee has reportedly been detained in Miami under suspicion of engaging in sexual activity with an underage male during a business trip from Zurich last year.

FIFA acknowledged the ongoing legal situation in Miami, describing the allegations as serious personal matters that do not involve his professional role within the international soccer organization. In a statement released on Wednesday, the governing body of soccer announced that the individual has been immediately suspended from all responsibilities until further notice and indicated that further comments would not be released at this time.

According to reports from local news outlets, Jack Coles was arrested on Friday by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations while he was at a hotel located near FIFA’s Coral Gables office.

Coles serves as a project leader within FIFA Sound, the department responsible for managing music at various FIFA events and broadcasts. The 39-year-old British national is alleged to have met a 14-year-old boy on a dating application for men last October, and he supposedly attempted to arrange another meeting last week. The boy had reportedly informed Coles that he was 16, and he later communicated with federal authorities regarding the encounters.

In 2023, FIFA established a U.S. base in Coral Gables in preparation for two upcoming major tournaments that the country will host. Additionally, FIFA relocated its legal department from its headquarters in Zurich to this new location.

The inaugural 32-team Club World Cup is set to take place in 11 cities across the United States, kickstarting on June 14 in Miami, where Lionel Messi’s team, Inter Miami, will compete against Egypt’s Al Ahly at the stadium of the Miami Dolphins.

Moreover, the U.S. will host a majority of the 104 matches for the men’s World Cup in 2026, which it is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19. The Miami stadium is scheduled to feature seven of those matches.