FIFA said on Tuesday that it was fully supporting a ticket scalping investigation being conducted by Brazilian police looking at the 2014 World Cup.
"It is in the interests of football, of FIFA and we believe of every fan in the world to see that tickets are dealt with properly and in accordance with the law," FIFA's Head of Media Delia Fischer told reporters at the Daily Media Briefing. "We as the governing body of football are the first one to see this matter fully investigated and solved quickly."
Ray Whelan, the chief executive of a hospitality firm arrested in connection with an investigation into VIP ticket scalping at the World Cup, was released on Tuesday after spending the night in custody.
Whelan was arrested at Rio's beachfront Copacabana Palace hotel as a result of Operation Jules Rimet which has seen 12 people arrested into investigations over the illegal resale of tickets for the tournament.
"FIFA has taken note that Ray Whelan, director of the accommodation office of MATCH Services, which is a service provided to FIFA was taken into custody yesterday at the Copacabana Palace by the police about an alleged involvement related to the Operation Jules Rimet," Fischer added.
"We can confirm that he was released on Habeas Corpus today, this morning. FIFA 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 on various occasions our firm stance against any form of violation of criminal law and the ticketing regulation and is fully supporting the security authorities in our joined efforts to clamp down on any unauthorized ticket sales."
Whelan's company, MATCH, said the Englishman was released from custody in Rio de Janeiro and that he will assist police with further inquiries.
The investigation has further sullied the reputation of world soccer's governing body FIFA, which already faces allegations of bribery surrounding Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
MATCH is the main provider of hospitality packages for the World Cup and paid $240 million for the exclusive rights to sell corporate hospitality at the 2010 World Cup and this one.
It has a contract with FIFA until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Philippe Blatter, the nephew of FIFA president Sepp Blatter is the president of Infront, a company which has a 5 percent stake in MATCH Hospitality, one of the two arms of MATCH.
Fischer said that Philippe Blatter had no involvement with MATCH.
"FIFA can confirm that Infront is not involved in MATCH Services and is only a five percent minority shareholder of MATCH Hospitality. Infront CEO Philippe Blatter does not hold any position with the company MATCH Hospitality."
According to its website, MATCH is appointed by FIFA to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology at the World Cup.
REUTERS