LOS ANGELES, California (AFP) — The North American Soccer League (NASL) yesterday suspended Board of Governors chairman Aaron Davidson, one of 14 people indicted in the US probe of what prosecutors call a “World Cup” of football fraud.

Davidson is president of Traffic Soccer Club and Traffic Sports USA, and is one of the marketing executives named in the 47-count US indictment alleging racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies that span 24 years, beginning in 1991.

The professional league that operates in the shadow of Major League Soccer is also suspending all business activities with Traffic Sports USA, which owns the Carolina RailHawks NASL club based in North Carolina.

“In light of the ongoing investigation announced by the US Department of Justice on Wednesday, the North American Soccer League’s Board of Governors has suspended Chairperson Aaron Davidson, along with all business activities between the league and Traffic Sports, effective immediately,” the NASL said in a statement.

“The Carolina RailHawks, the sole NASL club owned by Traffic Sports, will continue to operate in the ordinary course of business. The club’s management team will continue to manage the day-to-day operations.”

The league said commissioner Bill Peterson will serve as acting chairperson as the case progresses.

The complex international investigation revealed by Attorney General Loretta Lynch has global governing body FIFA under pressure, with two FIFA vice-presidents among the seven football officials arrested in Zurich in dawn raids by Swiss police acting at the request of US officials.

Swiss investigators are also probing FIFA’s awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.