The German-Swiss official, a former basketball player, has been acting secretary general since Jérôme Valcke was handed a 12-year ban from all footballing activity. 

"Markus Kattner has been dismissed from his position effective immediately," a short statement confirmed this evening.

"FIFA’s internal investigation uncovered breaches of his fiduciary responsibilities in connection with his employment contract.

"FIFA will not comment further on any of the details, but will continue its cooperation with the relevant authorities.

Kattner joined FIFA in 2003 as director of finance and has served in the deputy secretary general position since 2007.

Few details have emerged so far as to exactly what he did, but it is thought there was a clause in his contract awarding himself large bonus payments.

It is thought the issue has only come to light in the last few days. 

The incident is thus not directly connected to the wider corruption allegations centred around payments supposedly made by Valcke and former President Sepp Blatter.

But it is a further indication of the rotten culture at the heart of the body.

It comes after Senegal's Fatma Samoura was named as new secretary general at FIFA's Congress in Mexico City earlier this month.