The possibility of a lengthy ban for suspended Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has moved a step closer after the world governing body's ethics committee opened formal proceedings against him.

It follows a report by the investigatory arm of the ethics committee which on Tuesday announced it has recommended a nine-year ban for the Frenchman on charges of conflict of interest and giving or receiving gifts.

Valcke is alleged to have been involved in a plan to sell World Cup tickets on the black market. He has strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying his conduct has always been "exemplary".

A Fifa ethics committee statement said: “The adjudicatory chamber has studied the report carefully and decided to institute formal adjudicatory proceedings against Mr Valcke.”