A British FIFA executive has been arrested in the United States on suspicion of having sex with an underage boy while on a work trip last year. Jack Coles, 39, was detained last week in a hotel near Coral Gables, South Florida, where FIFA have recently set up an office. He is a project leader with FIFA Sound, a department that organises music for the governing body’s events and broadcasts, and has been based at their Zurich headquarters.
“FIFA is aware of ongoing legal proceedings in Miami. The alleged offences are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at FIFA," a spokesperson for the governing body said in a statement on Wednesday. “The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties. FIFA has no further comment at this stage.". Coles is alleged to have met a 14-year-old boy through the dating app Grindr last October and allegedly tried to meet with him again last week at a hotel in Coral Gables.
The boy reportedly told Coles he was 16 and they had been exchanging regular messages on Instagram, according to details supplied to the Miami Herald. On a trip to Florida last week, Coles is alleged to have made attempts to meet the boy again at his hotel only for federal agents to appear at his door. Coles was arrested on one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activities and a count of traveling to the United States with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor.
He had been taken to Broward County Main Jail following his arrest and the local sheriff’s office records show he left custody on Monday afternoon. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
