A British FIFA employee has been arrested in Miami on suspicion of having sex with an underage boy during a work trip from Zurich last year.
Jack Coles, 39, a project leader with FIFA Sound, was detained on Friday at a hotel near the organisation’s offices in the Coral Gables neighbourhood.
Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested Coles, who works in FIFA’s music and audio department organising sound for events and broadcasts.
The arrest follows allegations that Coles engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old boy whom he met through the dating app Grindr in October.
According to federal investigators, Coles first encountered the boy after flying from Zurich on October 6 and staying at a Coral Gables hotel.
Jack Coles was arrested last week
The pair began communicating on Instagram, where the boy disclosed: “I’m 16 btw”, which is below Florida’s age of consent.
“So [you’re] 16,” Coles allegedly responded. “We [can’t] have sex right you gotta be 18?”
After the boy confirmed this, Coles reportedly replied: “Sweet ok. I don’t want to break any laws!”
Investigators claim Coles then arranged for the boy to visit him at the Hyatt Regency at 50 Alhambra Plaza.
Following their meeting, Coles allegedly messaged the boy: “Youre gunna be my miami boyfriend by the way.”
Federal agents later took control of the alleged victim’s Instagram account to pose as the teenager.
A sting operation was subsequently set up, leading to Coles’ arrest earlier this month.
FIFA confirmed they had suspended Jack Coles
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Records from Broward Sheriff’s Office show Coles was initially held at Broward County Main Jail.
He was released from custody on Monday this week, according to jail records.
FIFA issued a statement acknowledging the “ongoing legal proceedings in Miami” and confirming Coles’ immediate suspension.
“The alleged offences are serious and of a personal matter with no link to his work at Fifa,” the governing body said.
“The individual has been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice from all duties.”
The organisation added it would make “no further comment at this stage.”
FIFA opened a United States base in Coral Gables in 2023 ahead of major tournaments in the country.
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