A football match official who was a potential pick to work at the men’s World Cup in North America this summer was arrested for an alleged sexual assault at a hotel while in Britain for a game.
Tournament organiser Fifa said on Tuesday it was “aware of the serious allegation”, after details of an alleged assault of a teenage boy were first reported by The Sun.
“In the meantime, the match official will not be considered for any Fifa competition matches,” football’s governing body said in a statement.
Fifa published a list earlier this month of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials selected for the 104-game World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.
The match official was not identified in reports, nor was the European competition game he was working at for Uefa.
“We are monitoring the situation with great concern and will continue to follow developments closely,” Uefa said.
Uefa added it also will not be selecting the official for its games, and the alleged incident was part of “an active investigation.”
The Sun reported the Metropolitan Police in London released a man in his 30s on bail.
The World Cup is now just a matter of weeks away, with England aiming to end 60 years of hunt as Thomas Tuchel’s men go for glory in North America.
The Three Lions are due to get their World Cup campaign underway against Croatia on 17 June before facing Ghana six days later.
England will conclude their group stage fixtures by facing Panama on 27 June.
England have history with Croatia, having lost out to their fellow Europeans in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Four years ago, England reached the quarter-finals before falling short against France.
