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World Cup tickets: Ray Whelan gives up 2014 credentials World Cup tickets: Ray Whelan and 11 others indicted
(about 5 hours later)
The director of a Fifa partner company held in Brazil over an inquiry into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets has given up his tournament credentials. Police in Brazil have formally accused 12 people, including the director of a World Cup hospitality company, over alleged illegal ticket sales.
In a statement, Match Hospitality also said that Ray Whelan "takes this decision with no acceptance of wrongdoing" and would be "exonerated". Ray Whelan, who works for Fifa partner company Match Hospitality, was held in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and released after questioning.
Mr Whelan was held in Rio de Janeiro on Monday and released after questioning. Mr Whelan - who denies any wrongdoing - has now surrendered his passport.
Last week, police arrested 11 people suspected of involvement in a lucrative ticket-reselling racket. An international gang is said to have earned some $90m (£52m) per tournament and may have acted 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 gang is believed to have been making money by acquiring and illegally selling on VIP tickets and hospitality passes.
'Assisting police' 'Illegal and absurd'
"Ray Whelan will voluntarily relinquish his accreditation for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil today," Match Hospitality's statement said. The 12 suspects are formally accused of illegal ticket selling and criminal association.
It added that Mr Whelan, a British national, "remains fully co-operative for further investigations which he is certain will exonerate him". Mr Whelan, a British national, was detained on Monday at Rio de Janeiro's exclusive Copacabana Palace Hotel, which is also hosting officials from Fifa, world football's governing body.
The firm's chief executive was arrested at the luxury Copacabana Palace Hotel, which is also hosting officials from Fifa, world football's governing body. The other 11 suspects were arrested last week.
He was taken for questioning as part of the investigation entitled Operation Jules Rimet, and was released on Tuesday. A public prosecutor in Rio is now reviewing the evidence and will decide in coming days whether to bring the case to court.
His lawyer, Fernando Fernandes, said that his arrest was "illegal and absurd". On Wednesday, Mr Whelan decided to give his tournament credentials.
Mr Whelan remains a suspect in the case. His lawyers told local media that they had voluntarily surrendered his passport. In a statement, Match Hospitality said that he "takes this decision with no acceptance of wrongdoing" and would be "exonerated".
It added that Mr Whelan "remains fully co-operative for further investigations which he is certain will exonerate him".
Mr Whelan's, Fernando Fernandes, said that his arrest was "illegal and absurd".
Switzerland-based Match Hospitality - part of UK sports event manager Byrom based in Cheadle, near Manchester - said on Tuesday that it was assisting the police investigation.Switzerland-based Match Hospitality - part of UK sports event manager Byrom based in Cheadle, near Manchester - said on Tuesday that it was assisting the police investigation.
A statement from Fifa said that it "continues to fully collaborate with the local authorities and will provide any details requested to assist with this ongoing investigation".A statement from Fifa said that it "continues to fully collaborate with the local authorities and will provide any details requested to assist with this ongoing investigation".