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Fifa partner CEO Ray Whelan arrested over ticket scam Fifa partner's CEO Ray Whelan arrested over ticket scam
(about 5 hours later)
Brazilian police have arrested the chief executive of a Fifa partner company as part of investigations into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.Brazilian police have arrested the chief executive of a Fifa partner company as part of investigations into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.
Ray Whelan from Match Hospitality was held at the Rio de Janeiro hotel where officials from the world's football governing body were also staying.Ray Whelan from Match Hospitality was held at the Rio de Janeiro hotel where officials from the world's football governing body were also staying.
Last week, police held 11 people and broke up an international gang. Last week, police held 11 people over illegal ticket sales.
They are accused of illegally reselling tickets, including some originally allocated to players.They are accused of illegally reselling tickets, including some originally allocated to players.
Police say the gang earned as much as $90m (£52m) per tournament and could have operated at four World Cups. Police say an international gang earned as much as $90m (£52m) per tournament and could have operated at four World Cups.
The authorities believe some of the tickets were sold to foreign tourists.
Computers seizedComputers seized
Mr Whelan, a British national, was arrested at the luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel on Monday. Mr Whelan, a British national, was arrested at the Copacabana Palace Hotel on Monday.
The UK Foreign Office said it was offering consular assistance.
He was taken for questioning as part of the ongoing police investigation Operation Jules Rimet.He was taken for questioning as part of the ongoing police investigation Operation Jules Rimet.
The Switzerland-based Match Hospitality has so far made no public comment on the issue. The UK Foreign Office said it was offering consular assistance.
As part of the inquiry, police said last week they had identified the first name of an alleged Fifa official from telephone calls. The Switzerland-based Match Hospitality - part of UK sports event manager Byrom based in Cheadle, near Manchester - has so far made no public comment on the issue.
Fabio Barucke, the investigator in charge of the case, said the official had clearance to Fifa offices, stadiums and other administrative areas where he would have access to match tickets.
The official, Mr Barucke said at the time, was not Brazilian and was in the country only because of the current tournament.
In a statement, Fifa said it "continues to fully collaborate with the local authorities and will provide any details requested to assist with this ongoing investigation".In a statement, Fifa said it "continues to fully collaborate with the local authorities and will provide any details requested to assist with this ongoing investigation".
"Fifa wants to reiterate as mentioned at various occasions its firm stance against any form of violation of the criminal law and the ticketing regulations, and is fully supporting the security authorities in our joint efforts to clamp down on any unauthorised ticket sales.""Fifa wants to reiterate as mentioned at various occasions its firm stance against any form of violation of the criminal law and the ticketing regulations, and is fully supporting the security authorities in our joint efforts to clamp down on any unauthorised ticket sales."
Among items seized during the arrests last week were 100 tickets, computers, US dollars, mobile phones and documents.
Those arrested could face charges of money laundering, criminal association and illegally selling tickets.