The British executive consultant of Match Services, a subsidiary of the company that provides tickets, hospitality and accommodation services for FIFA, was arrested, released and then re-arrested over allegations of involvement in a $100 million (£60 million/€75 million) ticket touting ring.

Whelan handed himself in to police on July 14 after taped recordings were handed to a national television station of Whelan discussing expensive hospitality packages with a French-Algerian, Lamine Fofana, alleged to be the leader of the ticket touting ring.

This followed the Briton's initial arrest on July 7 and release on bail amid a police probe.

Three days later it was claimed Whelan had left the Copacabana Palace Hotel, where Sepp Blatter and other senior FIFA officials were also staying, via a service exit an hour before police arrived to re-arrest him.

Despite being labelled a "fugitive" for the act, Match strongly denied Whelan had deliberately avoided detention.

Both Whelan and his bosses at Match insist he has done nothing wrong, stating instead that he was perfectly legitimately trying to resell packages that had been returned to Match at the 11th hour by a Brazilian hotel chain.

After being re-arrested in mid-July, Whelan has spent his time in the infamous Bangu Prison.

However, a Supreme Court ruling stated the decision by a lower court judge to deny bail was not necessary because Whelan had handed over his passport and fulfilled all the conditions imposed on him.

"The motion is approved," read the court's judgment.

"The release order for the defendant should be expedited and carried out with the pertinent caution.

"Please warn him of the necessity to stay within the jurisdiction of Rio de Janeiro."

Ray Whelan handed himself over to Brazilian authorities after recordings were released of him discussing expensive hospitality packages with Lamine Fofana, alleged to be the leader of the ticket touting ring ©Getty Images



Following the Supreme Court's decision, Whelan has been freed from jail and allowed to return to the home he has in Rio.

"The judge showed that Brazil has not only the capacity to organise a FIFA World Cup but has a constitution that must be respected," said Whelan's lawyer, Fernando Fernandes.

"The Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest was illegal from the first moment."

According to the lawyer, Whelan's next step is to acquire the evidence against him, which the prosecution allegedly has possession of but has yet to make public.

"The defence will dedicate itself entirely to obtaining integral access to the evidence that has not been granted yet, in order that it may dismiss the accusations against Mr Whelan," said Fernandes.

Eleven other individuals have been arrested in the police probe and local reports said Whelan could face up to four years in jail if found to have been involved in the illegal resale of tickets or other related activities including money laundering.

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