World's football governing body FIFA confirmed that Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad was being questioned by French authorities in Paris earlier on Thursday.
"FIFA has taken note of the events concerning Mr Ahmad Ahmad, who is being questioned by the French authorities in relation to allegations related to his mandate while President of CAF," read a statement released in the afternoon by FIFA.
The ruling body, however, declined to disclose any details "surrounding this investigation", saying that FIFA "is therefore not in a position to make any comment on it specifically."
Ahmad, a former cabinet minister of Madagascar, was reported by CAF general secretary Amp Fahmy last month to FIFA's Ethics Committee over allegations of corruption and sexual harassment.
He's accused of forcing the CAF to buy sportswear at inflated prices through a French company, rather than directly from the manufacturers.
"As a matter of due process, everyone has the right to the presumption of innocence, but as the FIFA President reiterated yesterday, FIFA is fully committed to eradicating all forms of wrongdoing at any level in football," FIFA said in the statement.
"Anyone found to have committed illicit or illegal acts has no place in football," it emphasized.
Gianni Infantino was re-elected by acclamation here on Wednesday as president of FIFA, with a clear message being sent to the world of the 49-year-old Swiss-Italian's determination of fighting against corruption and building up a toxic-free FIFA.
"FIFA is now clean from the scandals that tarnished its reputation and this same determination should prevail in governing bodies such as confederations. FIFA will be at the forefront of ensuring that this is enforced by everyone involved in football," read FIFA's statement on Ahmad issue.
