By Nick Butler in Lausanne

The IOC are holding a review into their ticketing process for Rio 2016 ©Getty ImagesA review of the ticketing process for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been launched to try to ensure there is no repeat of the scandal seen at the FIFA World Cup, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has revealed.


It comes as a Brazilian police investigation into problems during the World Cup continues following the arrest of Match Hospitality chief executive Ray Whelan, a leading figure in the company overseeing FIFA's hospitality programme in Brazil, earlier this week.

Raids have also been staged by police in both Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, leading to 11 arrests of figures supposedly linked to the scam as well as the seizure of World Cup tickets, foreign currency, passports and mobile phones.

It is likely that this prompted the IOC to include the question of tickets on the final day of their Executive Board meeting here today, with changes to the existing approach now to be considered following a visit to Rio by IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli this week.

"We have asked Mr Felli to coordinate with the Organising Committee and the legal and public authorities in Brazil," said Bach, who arrived in Rio today to attend the FIFA World Cup final between his native Germany and Argentina on Sunday (July 13).

"He will check whether we need any adaptations to our regulations according to the national legislation in Brazil.

"We are waiting for this report then we will take the necessary decisions if any are needed."

There were also problems with the ticketing process for the London 2012 Olympic Games ©Getty ImagesThere were also problems with the ticketing process for the London 2012 Olympic Games ©Getty Images



Ticketing problems have long been a challenge at Olympic Games, including ahead of London 2012 where thousands of premium tickets were found on the black market in a scandal which involved officials within a number of National Olympic Committees.

Bach claimed the system has been improved after London to avoid a recurrence of this.

But he added that it was "under constant monitoring because it has to be adapted to the national legislation in the host country". 

As well as problems involving the reselling of tickets, the IOC will also be keen to avoid delays with the official ticketing process, after problems were also experienced by Official Ticketing Services Provider, Ticketmaster, ahead of London 2012. 

Fans trying to buy tickets were able to click onto apparently available events but, after several minutes, were then told these were not available.

Similar problems were seen earlier this year when Ticketmaster oversaw the sale of tickets for the Glasgow 2014, with the process having to be suspended for several days until the issues were rectified. 

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