FIFA bans ex-Oceania general secretary Nicholas for eight years

Nicholas, a former member of FIFA's standing committee, was also fined 50,000 Swiss francs (£39,206).

"The investigation into Mr Nicholas concerned the misappropriation of FIFA funds allocated to the OFC between 2014 and 2017 in relation to the OFC Home of Football," FIFA said in a statement.

"As a result Mr Nicholas has been sanctioned with a ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for eight years."

FIFA said Nicholas had violated Article 21 of its Code of Ethics, which deals with bribery and corruption, as well as Article 20, which sets out rules governing the offering and accepting of gifts and other benefits.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Simon Jennings)