Ray Whelan was first arrested on Monday (July 7) and released on bail after being held overnight amid a police probe into alleged illegal World Cup ticket sales.

An international gang, which it is thought may have acted at four World Cups, reportedly made money by acquiring and illegally selling on VIP tickets and hospitality passes.

Match Hospitality is FIFA's worldwide exclusive rights holder of its hospitality programme.

Yesterday, Brazilian police said they were treating Whelan as a "fugitive" after he reportedly fled from the Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, where FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his senior colleagues are staying.

Investigator Fabio Barucke claimed Whelan left the hotel through a service exit an hour before police arrived to arrest him for a second time

He added police had recorded around 900 calls between Whelan and Algerian ticket broker Lamine Fofana since the World Cup began on June 12, and virtually all of them referred to the selling of tickets.

Today, Match Hospitality has responded to some of the claims, as well as to CCTV footage reportedly showing Whelan moments before he left the hotel.

"Mr Ray Whelan and his attorney Mr Fernando Fernandes left Copacabana Palace Hotel on July 10 prior to the arrival of the police," a spokesperson said.

"The CCTV images of the internal hotel surveillance system distributed to the media show that Mr Whelan did not rush from the hotel.

"Police arrived thereafter, and finding Mr Whelan was not there, simply requested that he present himself at the 18th Precinct [Rio police]."

Ray Whelan has been described by police as a fugitive after allegedly fleeing the Copacabana Palace Hotel he was staying in during the World Cup ©AFP/Getty Images



They added: "Match must emphasise its understanding that the terms of Ray Whelan's previous release did not restrict Ray Whelan's movements, provided he stayed within Brazil.

"We do not believe that the term 'fugitive' is appropriate under the circumstances as he is presently with his lawyer.

"We understand that any accused in Brazil has the fundamental right to resist a coercion that he believes to be arbitrary and illegal.

"Mr Whelan's lawyers submitted an injunction to revoke the arrest order during the course of last night, which was denied, but we understand that Mr Whelan's lawyers will today submit their request for reconsideration of that decision."

Match has been involved with FIFA since 1986 and has the exclusive contract to provide hospitality packages until 2023, as well as other services, including accommodation.

Whelan claimed he committed no wrongdoing and Match insist the arrest earlier this week was "arbitrary and illegal".

The Match spokesperson continued: "Contrary to various reports in the media Mr Whelan was not summoned to return to the 18th Precinct on July 8, nor was he asked to remain at the Copacabana Palace Hotel pending further inquiries following his initial release.

"Match has not yet had the opportunity to speak to Mr Fernando Fernandes or Ray Whelan since they left the hotel and therefore cannot comment as to the circumstances.

"Ray Whelan has not yet been granted the due process of a fair trial.

"Match remains absolutely confident that any charges raised against Ray will be rebutted."

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